Amit Shah Questions Congress’s Allegiance Amid Election Campaign in Haryana
Amit Shah criticized Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party during a rally in Haryana, accusing them of enabling slogans praising Pakistan and failing to uphold national security. He questioned the Congress’s commitment to reinstating Article 370, emphasized the BJP’s procurement of crops at minimum support prices, and announced plans for a Waqf amendment bill, all while appealing to voters ahead of the October elections.
Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister and a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), addressed a rally in Badshahpur, Haryana, on Sunday, where he criticized the Congress party and particularly its leader, Rahul Gandhi. Shah alleged that slogans praising Pakistan, specifically “Pakistan Zindabad,” were being chanted at Congress events during the ongoing electoral campaign in Haryana. He questioned Rahul Gandhi’s silence in response to these slogans, characterizing the Congress party as being misled by appeasement politics. Additionally, Shah refuted the Congress’s commitment to reinstating Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, questioning, “Is Kashmir ours or not? Should Article 370 have been removed or not?” He proclaimed that even the collective efforts of Rahul Gandhi’s three generations would not suffice to revive the article, emphasizing the sacrifices made by the youth of Haryana to protect Kashmir. Furthermore, Amit Shah touched upon agricultural policies, pressing Rahul Gandhi on his understanding of minimum support prices (MSP) for various crops, particularly asking if he knew the full form of MSP and the distinctions between Kharif and Rabi crops. He affirmed that the BJP government in Haryana is actively procuring 24 different crops at MSP, inviting Gandhi to compare this achievement with those of Congress-ruled states. In his address, Shah also signaled that the government would introduce a Waqf amendment bill during the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament, acknowledging the issues arising from existing Waqf Board laws and promising to rectify them. As Haryana prepares for its elections on October 5, with results set to be announced on October 8, the political atmosphere remains charged with claims and counterclaims from both major parties.
The context of Amit Shah’s remarks stems from the approaching assembly elections in Haryana, where political leaders are engaging in intense campaigning. Amit Shah, representing the ruling BJP, is focusing his critique on the Congress party’s positions concerning national security and agricultural issues, aiming to capitalize on nationalistic sentiments and farmer interests in the region. The mention of slogans supportive of Pakistan is particularly sensitive in the Indian political landscape, as it raises concerns about loyalty and nationalism, which are critical factors during elections. Likewise, debates over Article 370 and agricultural policies such as MSP remain hotly contested issues between the two parties, further exacerbating the competitive political climate preceding the elections.
In summary, Amit Shah’s remarks during the rally reflect the BJP’s strategy to challenge the Congress party by accusing it of fostering anti-national sentiments and failing to address pressing agricultural issues. By questioning Rahul Gandhi’s leadership and asserting the BJP’s accomplishments in Haryana, Shah aims to strengthen the party’s position amidst the approaching elections. His statements on both national and agricultural policies highlight the BJP’s focus on electoral promises and nationalistic rhetoric, which are pivotal in the context of Haryana’s political dynamics and voter sentiment.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
