Modi attacks Cong over Art 370, 35-A

Ravinder Saini
Tribune News Service
Rewari, October 19

Intensifying the attack on the Congress over Article 370 and 35-A, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said it was a temporary provision, but the Congress neglected it for 70 years. “I ended this temporary provision for the sake of the nation. I do not live for the chair, but for the country,” he said.

Modi was addressing Vijay Sankalp Rally organised by Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh here on Saturday. He had kicked off his campaign for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from this venue on September 15, 2013.

Modi said he had promised one rank, one pension and competent and capable government. “Let me know whether or not I have fulfilled my promises,” he said. People endorsed him by raising their hands.

“I have a special relationship with Rewari as an ex-servicemen rally was my first poll event after being declared prime ministerial candidate in 2014. Rewari is the land of Army personnel who laid down their lives for the nation. I salute this land by bowing my head. I get positive energy from Rewari and cannot forget its bajre ki roti,” he said.

He focused on Army personnel and accused the Congress of ignoring their interest. “The BJP has repaid martyrs by setting up National War Memorial in Delhi. We have established memorial for martyred policemen, but the Congress has never paid heed to this,” he said.

He said when the Congress was in power, nearly 4 lakh Kashmiri Pandits were thrown out of their homes and their houses burnt, but the government in Delhi at that time decided to look the other way. He appreciated the Haryana Government, saying it ensured welfare of every section of society.

“Haryana was earlier known for land and scams. It is now discussed for cleanliness, ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’, kerosene and open defecation free status. The Congress is all set to face a debacle as there is a strong wave in favour of the BJP,” he said.