Why can't Modi be hailed for airstrikes, asks Rajnath

Facing criticism for indulging in a credit war for the airstrikes in Balakot, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said if former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi can be credited for creation of Bangladesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi should also be congratulated for the action against terrorists.

Addressing a public meeting here on the occasion of filing of nomination by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah, Singh also hit out at Congress President Rahul Gandhi for calling him a "thief" and urged the people to "punish" him democratically.

"Those who are saying that Balakot air strikes are being politicised and PM is being credited, they have forgotten that army divided Pakistan in 1971 war and created Bangladesh. Our leader Vajpayeeji had hailed Indira Gandhi in the Parliament. The entire country was doing so," he said.

After 40 of CRPF troopers were killed in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister showed strong determination to take the revenge.

"Our Air Force did airstrikes in Balakot. Then why the Prime Minister should not be given credited (PM ka jaykara kyo nahi hona chahiye)?. Whenever our forced have shown their valour, strong political will was there. The Congress government didn't do anything after 26/11 Mumbai terror attack," he said.

The senior BJP leader said when there is a coordination between political will and Army's valour, "no world power can challenge us".

Referring to Rahul Gandhi's "chowkidar chor hai" jibe at the Prime Minister, Singh said: "Under Modiji's leadership, the country has become world's sixth-largest economy but irony is that the President of Congress is using abusive language against our Prime Minister.

"I would appeal to the people that those using such abusive language against the PM should be dealt with democratically."

Attacking Gandhi, the Home Minister said that the Congress leader is calling the Prime Minister a thief but the reality is that he is "pure" and not having a single allegation of corruption.

"The 'chowkidar' is pure, he is becoming Prime Minister for sure and for every problems he has a cure," he said.

Hailing the BJP chief, Singh said Shah is a charismatic organiser under whose leadership the BJP became world's largest party.

He sought people's support for Shah's victory with a record margin.

On the occasion, Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan said Shah has strengthened the BJP by making elaborate booth-level visits across the country.

He also slammed the opposition, saying their "gathbandhan" has turned into "latthbandhan".

Listing the government's achievements, he said the Modi government has been working day and night for empowerment of every section of the country.

Paswan said that Shah, who has extraordinary organisational skills, is a great leader.

He said that he used to hold the world record for biggest victory margin in parliamentary elections but wished that Shah breaks all previous records to win the Gandhinagar seat.

--IANS

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