Fazil Mir
Srinagar, Sep 04 (NVI): Senior BJP leader and the Union Minister of State (MoS) in the PMO, Dr Jitender Singh took a jibe at senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stating that had there been no peace in Kashmir, how could the Leader of Opposition (LoP) enjoy ice-cream in the middle of Lal Chowk and relish kababs at a famous hotel in city centre.
“I wonder how come Rahul is questioning the democracy flourishing in J&K. Hasn’t the terrorism almost ended. Isn’t there development all over in Kashmir? Isn’t there an atmosphere of peace prevailing on the streets?” Singh said addressing a press conference at BJP headquarters in Srinagar. “Had there been no peace in Kashmir, how would have Rahul enjoyed an ice-cream and relished kabaabs in a hotel in the middle of the Lal Chowk late evening.”
On August 22, Rahul visited Lal Chowk and enjoyed an ice-cream besides interacting with the locals there. On the same day, he went to a famous hotel at Lal Chowk for a dinner where he relished Kabaabs and other wazwan dishes. Wazwan is a famous Kashmiri cuisine comprising several mouth-watering mutton dishes including Ristas’ and Goshtaba.
He said that today everybody is enjoying the free and fearless atmosphere. “In last 30 years, whenever a political leader used to file nomination papers, separatists would come up hartal call and stone pelting would take place. Today, nothing of that sort happens,” Singh said.
He said it was a major breather that finally democracy has found its outlet in J&K. Replying to Rahul Gandhi’s speech in Banihal, Ramban today where said that PM Narendera Modi was spreading hatred, Singh said for 30 longs years, it was the Congress and NC that spread the hatred. “Everyone was living under the shades of terrorism and the composite culture was being ruined,” he said.
He said that it was Congress that joined hands with the people across the border and result was open to everyone. “Today, the youth of Kashmir doesn’t want to miss the bus of development and peace. Prime Minister Narendera Modi pulled Kashmir of the turmoil and mess. Today, we are living in a free atmosphere. India is world’s growing economy,” Singh said. “Today, there are no hartals, stone pelting and separatist calls.” About Congress-NC alliance, Singh said that BJP has seen the fate of such alliances in the past. “Earlier, there was a Gupkar alliance where is that now,” he asked. “These alliances are destined to fail as BJP has emerged as a best alternative to these parties in J&K.” (News Vibes of India)
