Cong, NC should clarify stand on Pak support to Article 370 : Rana

Jammu, Sep 24: Senior BJP leader Devender Singh Rana today asked the Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance to clear their stand on Pakistan Defence Minister’s open endorsement to their agenda on Article 370.

According to a press release, he was addressing series of election meetings. Rana said the ball is especially in the Congress court, which owes an explanation to the nation whether it approves of what the Pakistan’s Federal Minister said.

He wondered how can “Hate Modi” and “BJPs Nation First Mantra” drive the Congress and NC to such an extreme edge where they are seen on the same page with a country that believes in giving thousand cuts to India.

Rana, who is BJP candidate for Nagrota Assembly Constituency, said, “Congress has crossed all limits of political morality by tarnishing India’s image across the continents and furthering the cause of inimical elements— be it China or Pakistan and separatists in this part of the country.” He referred to the recent statement of a Pakistan Federal Minister endorsing the Cong-NC agenda of reinstating Article 370, a “discriminative and obstructive provision that stands buried forever by visionary Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

The BJP leader also castigated National Conference for advocating talks with Pakistan, knowing well they have no locus-standi to meddle in the country’s external affairs domain .” Yet assuming the role of being devil’s advocate, the party is exposing its vulnerabilities of losing the ongoing elections,” he added. Rana termed the Congress and National Conference as an unholy alliance that does not only feel comfort in the cushion of inimical forces but also work against the marginalised segments.

“By aligning with the NC manifesto, the Congress has covertly supported the repeal of the reservation guaranteed to SCs, STs, Gujjars, Paharis and OBCs in Jammu and Kashmir after abrogation of Article 370 in accordance with the Babasaheb’s Constitution,” the BJP leader said. He said the BJP will not allow this dubious design of the National Conference and its ally the Congress to disempower these segments, asserting vehemently that such a sinister design amounts to depriving these marginalised communities of employment, education and space in politics.