Rahul needs no certificate of patriotism from BJP: Amarinder

Saturday, 20/02/2016

http://epaper.dailypostindia.com/Details.aspx?id=150383&boxid=57965&uid=&dat=2016-02-20

Chandigarh : Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh on Friday said Rahul Gandhi needs no certificate of patriotism from a party like BJP which had ‘released’ dreaded terrorists like Masood Azhar.

“BJP has the dubious distinction of being in government while Parliament was attacked and also not only releasing dreaded terrorists like Masood Azhar but also sending them to Kandahar in Afghanistan in a special plane with the then Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh playing the host and escort,” he said in a statement here. 

The Amritsar MP blamed BJP for creating a mountain out of a molehill over Rahul’s visit to JNU. 

“I am surprised as how BJP was maliciously trying to wriggle out of the situation and malign Rahul Gandhi,” he said. 

Defending the Congress Vice President’s support to the agitating JNU students, Amarinder said that Rahul had made it clear that he stood by freedom of speech and expression as guaranteed by Constitution, while strongly rejecting, opposing and condemning anything that was anti-national. 

“BJP’s rabble-rousing notwithstanding, it has a weak case when it comes to nationalistic and patriotic credentials in comparison with the Congress”, he asserted. 

He added that Rahul’s patriotic credentials are “too strong” for BJP to criticise, pointing out how his father Rajiv Gandhi and grandmother Indira Gandhi had laid down their lives to safeguard integrity of the country. 

Amarinder also said even though Parliament was attacked under BJP’s rule, perpetrators like Afzal Guru as also Ajmal Kasab were hanged by the Congress government. 

Rahul Gandhi should be sent to Pakistan: BJP leaders

Jalandhar : Accusing Rahul Gandhi of supporting the “anti-national” students in JNU and stooping to new lows to gain political mileage, Punjab BJP on Friday said he should be “sent to Pakistan”. 

“What Rahul Gandhi has done is anti-national. The country does not need such leaders. He should be sent to Pakistan,” senior BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia said. Kalia questioned Rahul’s meeting with President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday, saying that the move was only meant to defend himself. 

“If Rahul was indeed doing the right thing, then why did he have to clarify that nationalism runs in his blood? He considers himself to be a claimant to the PM’s office and he is supporting those who raise slogans against this country? How can such a person lead the country?,” Kalia asked. BJP workers led by Punjab party president Kamal Sharma burnt an effigy of Rahul calling him “anti-national”. 

“Since Congress is losing their nation-wide support base, Rahul Gandhi has started supporting anti-nationals. How far will he droop to gain political mileage?,” Kamal Sharma said, adding that the country will not tolerate such a leader.