Invoking former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the opposition Congress today attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, comparing his government’s efforts to resolve the crisis in Kashmir with the policy of a previous BJP government led Vajpayee.
Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, while starting a debate in the Rajya Sabha, took a swipe at PM Modi saying, “Insaniyat (humanity), Jamhooriyat (democracy) and Kashmriyat – such statements only suited Vajpayee. They sound strange from a person who does not believe in them.”
The reference was to PM Modi’s speech on Tuesday in Madhya Pradesh, when he invoked the famous commitment of the former PM Vajpayee to a Kashmir policy with humanity as its essence, coupling “insaniyat” with “jamooriyat”.
Other Opposition leaders demanded that the Prime Minister, who is not present in the Rajya Sabha today, speak during the debate, for which five hours have been allotted.
The Left’s Sitaram Yechury said the government must come clear on its policy on Pakistan. “We must shame them in the international community, but we blow hot and blow cold.”
Leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley reminded the opposition that the issue is sensitive and “everyone should speak in one voice. There are a lot of things that can be taken up over this issue, but I think we shouldn’t divert from the main motive”.
The opposition also demanded that an all-party delegation sent to the Valley.