MUMBAI/JAMMU: BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said that rattled by Narendra Modi’s growing popularity, the Congress has gone back to its “old game” of raising communal issues.
“The Congress, which is rattled after Modi’s growing popularity, is once again back to its old game of raising communal issues. The Congress is the mother of hate and divisive politics in India. How can the Prime Minister or the Congress vice-president criticize BJP on that count,” Naidu said.
“It is the divisive agenda and vote bank politics of the Congress that has led to the present day atmosphere of hate and divisive politics in the country,” the BJP leader said.
The Congress has been indulging in its divisive agenda from pre-independence days and it is pursuing it with renewed vigour to cater to its vote bank politics, Naidu said.
“Having failed to keep the promises it made to the country and after being unable to satisfactorily explain its failures to the people, the Congress is trying to divert their attention from the agenda of development and raking up communal issues to derive political dividends,” he said.
“In your frustration to retain power, don’t resort to divisive and vote bank politics and destroy the nation. If you have political guts, join us for a debate on development — about your (UPA) performance and our (NDA) performance and also the performance of BJP ruled states and Congress ruled states,” he said.
“It is shocking to note the Prime Minister saying that the UPA has won despite its scams in 2009 and it will win 2014 elections despite scams. It only shows the lack of sensitivity,” he said.
BJP asks EC to take action against Rahul
Continuing attack on Rahul Gandhi for his remarks that Pakistani agencies were approaching Muzaffarnagar riot victims, the BJP on Friday also asked the Election Commission to initiate action against him for “breaching election laws.”
“Rahul’s statement comes at a time when there is an atmosphere of elections in the country. EC should take action against him for the statement,” party spokeswoman Meenakshi Lekhi said.
She asked how could intelligence officials brief the Congress vice-president.
“In what capacity has Intelligence Bureau discussed the matter with Rahul Gandhi. it is a breach of protocol. IB reports to Prime Minister and Union home minister. They need to explain this,” Lekhi said. (PTI)
