Congress speaking language of separatists: Ravi Shankar Prasad

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 22

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Friday hit back at the Congress, condemning statements by senior leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Saifuddin Soz saying the party’s “hatred” against India had been exposed.

The Congress is speaking the language of separatists, he said, adding that mere dissociation from Soz’s remarks is not enough as the Congress under Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi is strengthening anti-India forces.

“They have called the visits by the Army chief and Defence Minister to the residence of martyr Aurangzeb as drama. People will never tolerate this,” he said, warning the Congress of political retribution by people to its “anti-India” stance.

“Ever since Rahul became president, the Congress’s view of the country’s security has changed. Rahul can go to any extent for petty politics,” Prasad said.

Azad had said that the Army operations killed more civilians than terrorists. According to Prasad, this was a “new” Azad, not the one who was once the CM of the state.

Prasad said the Congress had given terror organisations like Lashkar a handle against India and Soz had legitimised the “tukde-tukde” gang.

“Even after reversal after reversal (electoral) the Congress is not learning a lesson. Their “pathological hatred” of the Prime Minister and the BJP is overriding the interests of the nation. We will also ask Azad this question in Parliament, he said.

Questioning the Congress’s priorities, he said the party leaders were echoing sentiments of Pakistan and demoralising the Indian forces while ignoring national interest for narrow political gains.