BJP slams Sibal's call to scrap sedition law

The BJP on Friday slammed Congress leader Kapil Sibal's call for scrapping the sedition law, saying the opposition party supports those wanting to divide the country rather than contributing towards making a new India.

Addressing a press conference, BJP leader and Union Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani said that the Congress has a "venomous approach" towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"On one hand, the BJP-led government at the Centre resolves to ensure a strong, resurgent India, by strengthening the possibilities of not only our young but also our families. On the other hand, the Congress continues to support forces who raise slogans like 'Bharat tere tukde honge'."

"The Congress president has publicly stood with such forces, publicly supported the statement of 'Bharat tere tukde honge'. As citizens of this country, let us ask the Congress president and the Congress party, would they have the guts to stand in public places and repeat that slogan against India and its interests?" she asked.

Irani also termed the Congress' allegations regarding the controversial Rafale deal as "malicious".

"I just want to say that an issue, which the Supreme Court has cleared, on which Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman spoke for over 90 minutes in the Parliament, on which the CAG has all the files and are preparing their report, the Congress' attempts of launching a malicious attempt repeatedly and promoting their own agenda over an issue while ignoring the national interests has been exposed in front of the public," Irani said.

When asked about claims that the Kerala government provided fake names while informing the Supreme Court about 51 women below the age of 50 years reportedly entering the Sabarimala Temple since the apex court's September 28 verdict last year, Irani said that a media report has alleged that it was a "fraud" committed by the Left government, which "is a charge of serious nature".

"I, as a citizen, will appeal to the SC to look into the facts of the matter, but as a BJP worker am I surprised? No, I am not. That it is the intention of the Left to attack the Hindu faith is known not only to the citizens of Kerala, but the citizens of the country," Irani said.

About a 'Mahagathbandhan' of opposition parties, Irani said, "The opposition parties are only repeating that individually they lack the strength to contest elections against the BJP. If they are trying to propagate their own failures in this way, I don't need to say anything else, Narendra Modi has said that the people want a strong government, not one necessitated by compulsion".

On questions about the Congress governments in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan reportedly being unhappy with the recently implemented 10 per cent reservation Bill and the DMK moving the Madras High Court against the same, Irani said the Congress has to clarify their "double stance" on the issue and whether they are against the empowerment of the poor.