Targeting Congress on Pulwama, Khattar uses 1991 example

GURUGRAM: Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar used a line of attack against the opposition that BJP has used throughout its election campaign at a rally in Gurugram on Wednesday, but drew a parallel with 1991 that gave Congress and opposition parties an opportunity to hit back.


“When the Pulwama attack took place, the opposition questioned its timing and tried to hint that it probably took place so that it could help us in this election,” he said. “If that was the reason, then what explains the terror attack that took place recently in Sri Lanka? That country is not headed for elections. In fact, I want to ask Congress about the incident that took place in the middle of the election season in 1991. Should that have been questioned as well?” he added, referring to the assassination of former Prime Minister and Congress leader Rajiv Gandhi during an election campaign that year (Khattar, though, did not mention Rajiv by name).

The rally was held in New Colony, an area with a large number of Punjabis.

Khattar

added, “True desh bhakti (patriotism) was displayed by those

Punjabis

who chose to leave Pakistan and decided to come to India during Partition. Congress wants to remove Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and do away with the sedition law. Congress’ love for the nation needs to be questioned.”

At the same meeting, BJP member Surajpal Amu — the man who led calls to ban the

Bollywood

film, ‘Padmaavat’ — said roads in Gurugram were “as smooth as Priyanka’s…” but was stopped in his tracks by a party functionary sitting behind him. But Amu did complete his sentence, with an amendment, saying “…as smooth as Aishwarya Rai’s cheeks”.

Incumbent MP and BJP candidate Rao Inderjit Singh appealed to voters to turn out in big numbers on May 12. Inderjit, who won by more than 2.7 lakh votes in 2014, acknowledged the victory margin would get dented if the turnout was low.

“I know Sunday is going to be a hot day but please ensure the voter turnout is at least 70% in Gurugram. If there is less voter turnout, the winning margin will become a problem. In Mewat, voters always ensure turnout is around 90% and in Gurugram too the turnout needs to be high,” he said.