'Same agenda': Amit Shah cites Pakistan minister's remarks to target Congress-NC alliance

NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Thursday lashed out at the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi for "working hand-in glove with anti-national forces," after Pakistan 's defence minister Khwaja Asif set off a row by claiming that the Congress, National Conference , and Pakistan were all on the same page when it comes to restoring Article 370 and 35A in Jammu and Kashmir .

As a flurry of responses poured in from the BJP, Union minister Shah joined the chorus and accused the Congress party of working "hand-in glove with anti-national forces" to hurt the sentiments of the countrymen.

"Be it asking for proof of air strikes and surgical strikes or saying objectionable things about the Indian Army, the tune of Rahul Gandhi's Congress Party and Pakistan has always been the same", Amit Shah said on X.

Claiming that the Pakistan minister's statement has "exposed the Congress", the home minister reiterated his government's stance that Article 370 will never enter J&K.

पाकिस्तान के रक्षा मंत्री का आर्टिकल 370 और 35A पर कांग्रेस और JKNC के समर्थन की बात ने एक बार फिर कांग्रेस को एक्सपोज कर दिया है। इस बयान ने पुनः यह स्पष्ट कर दिया है कि कांग्रेस और पाकिस्तान के इरादे भी एक हैं और एजेंडा भी। पिछले कुछ वर्षों से राहुल गाँधी देशवासियों की भावनाओं…

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 19, 2024

Sharing a video of the interview, BJP's Amit Malviya immediately launched hit out at the Congress and Rahul Gandhi. "Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif, on Hamid Mir’s Capital Talk on Geo News says, “Pakistan and National Conference-Congress alliance are on the same page in Jammu & Kashmir to restore Article 370 and 35A”, he wrote on X.

Pakistan, a terrorist state, endorses Congress and National Conference’s position on Kashmir.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, on Hamid Mir’s Capital Talk on Geo News says, “Pakistan and National Conference-Congress alliance are on the same page in Jammu & Kashmir to… pic.twitter.com/In8SOJKHBZ

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) September 19, 2024

The BJP leader also drew a reference to Sikh separatist Pannun's endorsements of Rahul's comments in the US. "How is it that, from Pannun to Pakistan, Rahul Gandhi and his Congress are always seen on the side of those inimical to India’s interest?" he asked.

Recently, Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun endorsed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks on the "existential threat" to the Sikh community in India.

Former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekar also took to X with the video, accusing Rahul Gandhi and Congress of always cozying up to Pakistan.

"Under Rahul Gandhi the Congress position on every issue is always the same as Pakistans position. Take any position from J&K to Bangladesh - they have same position. What power does Pakistan exercise over Rahul? What is reason for this control? Does Pakistan have leverage on Cong ?" the BJP leader asked.

This shd be known and understood by every Indian.

Under Rahul Gandhi the Cong position on every issue is always the same as Pakistans position. Take any position from J&K to Bangladesh - they hv same position.

What powrr does Pakistan exercise over Rahul? What is reason for… https://t.co/FxbFI11Q6s

— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@RajeevRC_X) September 19, 2024

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also pounced upon the Congress, saying "the cat is out of the bag". "Was there ever any doubt? For the sake of opposing PM Modi, they can even stand with Pakistan", he said.

"Congress NC ka Haath Pakistan ke Saath", he added.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Hamid Mir’s Capital Talk on Geo News says, “Pakistan and National Conference-Congress alliance are on the same page in Jammu & Kashmir to restore Article 370 and 35A”

Was there ever any doubt?
Today the cat is out of the bag
For Modi… pic.twitter.com/0AZ8jzd89S

— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) September 19, 2024