Home Minister Amit Shah has reiterated India's claim over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), stating "no power of the world can take it from us." Shah's statement, made during an election rally in Raebareli's Pratapgarh, comes as PoK witnesses unrest following violent clashes between security forces and protesters.
Hitting out at Congress leader Mani Shankar Iyer for his comments on the need to "respect Pakistan" for it may consider using an atom bomb against India, Shah said: "Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar and INDIA bloc leader Farooq Abdullah are asking to respect Pakistan as it has an atom bomb. Why should we respect Pakistan? Congress leader Rahul Gandhi says don't demand PoK. Rahul Baba, if you are scared of atom bombs, then remain scared. We are not scared. PoJK is a part of India, and we will take it back."
Shah also raked up the Kashmir issue while taking a jab at Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. "Kharge says that the people of UP and Rajasthan don’t have anything to do with Kashmir. The Congress, Samajwadi Party and BSP were taking care of Article 370 in Kashmir like its illegitimate child. Prime Minister Narendra Modi ended Article 370. He ended terrorism in Kashmir and made it an integral part of India. These two 'Shehzade' Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi promise to reintroduce Article 370 if they are elected. Do you think that Article 370 should be reintroduced?" the Home Minister said during the rally.
'Sonia spent 70% of fund on minorities'
Urging people to vote for BJP candidate Dinesh Pratap Singh, Shah said Sonia Gandhi has spent more than 70 per cent of the MP funds on minorities. "The 'shahzada' (prince) has come here to seek votes. You have been voting for many years. Have you received anything from the MP fund? If you have not received it, then where did it go? It went to their vote bank. Sonia Gandhi has spent more than 70 per cent of the MP funds on minorities," Shah claimed.
"Many people here told me that this is a family seat... It is true. The people of Raebareli have made the Gandhi and Nehru families win for years. But after getting elected from here, how many times did Sonia Ji and her family come to Raebareli? Okay, Sonia ji's health is not good, but has Rahul baba or sister Priyanka come?"