After Modi, Shah invokes Pakistan threat to seek votes in Punjab

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi invoked the possible threat of destabilisation and terrorism from Pakistan, BJP President Amit Shah on Monday urged people to vote for the SAD-BJP alliance in Punjab if they wanted a strong and stable government.

Shah said that Pakistan was located next door to Punjab and only a strong and stable government, that can only be provided by the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance, could ensure security and communal harmony in the state.

He said that only Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal could provide able leadership for a development-oriented and prosperous Punjab.

Shah took potshots at the Congress chief ministerial candidate Amarinder Singh and at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal.

"When Amarinder was MP (of Amritsar), it was difficult to find him. If he becomes Chief Minister, you know where to go and find him. People of Delhi are also trying to find their Chief Minister (Kejriwal)," Shah said, cautioning people against voting for the Congress and the AAP.

Invoking possible threats from Pakistan and the fear of revival of terrorism, Prime Minister Modi on Sunday urged people in Punjab to vote for the Akali Dal-BJP alliance to provide a strong and stable government in the border state.

Elections to the 117-seat state assembly take place on February 4 with the main contest being between the Akali Dal-BJP combine, which has been in power in Punjab since 2007, the Congress and the AAP.

--IANS

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