Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, Aug 9: The Union Minister of State for Ayush (Ind Charge) and Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav today alleged that Congress party allowed two Constitutions, two Prime Ministers and two emblems in the country for the vote bank politics.
“Congress has deliberately allowed two Constitutions, two Prime Ministers and two national emblems for vote bank politics. The Prime Minister’s decision to abrogate Article 370 is appreciated everywhere, as you can yourself draw a comparison between the situation before and after the development,” Jadhav said while talking to media-persons after inaugurating a blood donation camp at AIIMS, Vijaypur in Samba district today.
He said a lot of change has been witnessed in the Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of article 370 and the people of J&K are now getting maximum benefit of the Central Government schemes.
Referring to a question on Bihar elections Jadhav said that sensing defeat in Bihar Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is making allegations regarding `vote theft’ against the Election Commission.
He said the ‘Operation Sindoor’ was meant to dismantle terror infrastructure across the border and not a declaration of war against Pakistan.
The Minister said more than 1,000 wrestlers from Maharashtra will be donating blood at the special camp for the Armed forces, according to the Government.
His criticism of Gandhi in response to the Congress leader making explosive claims of a “huge criminal fraud” in polls through a collusion between the BJP and the Election Commission.
The Union Minister retorted by saying India is run by democracy, and the poll body is an important pillar of democracy.
“If anyone is of the notion that he is not getting justice, he is free to approach the Supreme Court. The EC has asked him to submit an affidavit, but he says he has already taken oath in Parliament. So, he has talked himself into a corner,” he said.
Jadhav said that when the Congress won more seats in the Lok Sabha elections from Maharashtra, they praised the poll body, but when it lost the Assembly elections later, it started accusing the EC.
The Minister asserted the EC was working transparently and there was no truth in Gandhi’s allegations.
“The reality is that they are staring at defeat in the Bihar Assembly polls likely to take place later this year and therefore coming out with such statements,” he said.
On Operation Sindoor, he said, “The Prime Minister announced Operation Sindoor, and Indian forces destroyed nine terrorist bases in Pakistan. It was not a declaration of war on Pakistan. If any terror attack takes place, our forces will also again target the terrorists in the neighbouring country.”
“Operation Sindoor is not over yet,” he added.
On US President Donald Trump’s comments on ceasefire and tariffs, the Union Minister said Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has already clarified that India will work in the interest of its 144 crore citizens and can defend itself.
On the language row in Maharashtra, Jadhav, a Maharashtrian, defended the use of Marathi.
“Maharashtra is a state for Marathi people, and anyone coming here should learn Marathi. When we go to any other place, we also try to learn the local language,” he added.
Jadhav said, from Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, everyone in the country wanted the abrogation of Article 370.
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