Cong demands answers from PM, HM on Pulwama attack, corruption charges

Why PM, HM maintain silence on Satya Pal Malik’s starling revelations ?, asks Tiwari  

BJP wants to turn J&K its colony to exploit natural resources 

Jammu, September 20:- Seeking answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah regarding startling revelation of former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Satya Pal Malik on Pulwama terror attack and corruption charges, senior Congress leader and Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Parmod Tiwari on Friday said that criminal silence maintained by BJP’s top leadership is clear indication that there is something fishy.

“Satya Pal Malik, who was appointed by the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir by the BJP government had stated that there were intelligence failures and the central government denied aircraft for the movement of security personnel, which led to the devastating Pulwama terror attack in 2019”, Mr Tiwari said while addressing a press conference at Jammu. 

Mr Tiwari demanded answers after Malik’s revelations, which include allegations of corruption in power projects and insurance schemes in J&K. 

The Congress leader wants the Prime Minister and Home Minister to address these serious allegations and provide clarity on the issues.

“Furthermore, Satya Pal Malik’s revelations about national security and integrity are startling”, he said, adding, “ Satya Pal Malik, appointed Governor by Narendra Modi, exposed how the Prime Minister asked him to maintain silence after the dread terror attack in which 40 soldiers attained martyrdom”.

“The smuggling of RDX into J&K from across the border raises serious questions”, he further said, adding, “As a nation, we demand answers from the Prime Minister. How was RDX smuggled into J&K? Why didn’t the government provide air services to soldiers? These allegations aren’t coming from opposition leaders but from the Governor appointed by the BJP themselves”

“Malik also revealed being offered large sums to aid influential business houses. Has J&K become a UT to enable the exploitation of its natural resources by the BJP’s associates?”, he asked.

“The Pulwama attack investigation has yielded no conclusions after five years, demonstrating the government’s incompetence”, he said.

Pointing toward Pakistan defence minister’s Khawaja Asif’s statement on J&K, Mr Tiwari said, “The Pakistan defense minister’s controversial statement on the eve of the Prime Minister’s J&K visit raises concerns. Instead of responding appropriately, the Prime Minister chose to visit Pakistan uninvited, indicating a questionable relationship”.

The BJP lacks the willpower to tackle terrorism in J&K, which has spread from the Kashmir Valley to Jammu. 

“We also remember the Prime Minister’s uninvited visit to Pakistan, where his personal rapport with leaders across the border left many puzzled”, he said, adding, “On the eve of his recent visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan’s Defence Minister issued a controversial statement, which suggests a level of coordination that is deeply troubling”.

“Pakistan’s defence minister now appears to act as the chief spokesperson of the BJP, while the Modi government’s weak responses to terrorism have allowed it to spread from the Valley into Jammu, where soldiers are being attacked”, he pointed out.

“In contrast to the firm responses given to Pakistan in 1965 and 1971 by the then Congress governments, the BJP has chosen to engage in diplomatic ‘jugalbandi,’ which compromises our national security”, he said.

“It’s time for the BJP to stop misleading the nation and start answering the serious questions that both the public and our martyred soldiers’ families are asking. The nation demands accountability”, he said.

“The BJP’s control over Jammu and Kashmir, whether directly or indirectly, has led to devastating consequences. Previously, they wielded power through the PDP, and now they’re exercising it through the Lieutenant Governor”, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition said.

“The BJP must disclose what they’ve accomplished for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Instead, they’ve spread falsehoods in their public rallies, and the region has become a hotbed of drug addiction – the BJP’s most notable achievement”, he said.

The high voter turnout is a clear indication of the people’s resentment against the BJP-controlled administration. 

“While the BJP may criticize Congress for dynasty politics, our legacy is built on sacrifices. Our leaders have laid down their lives for the nation, unlike the BJP’s history of submission to British rule. We have a tradition of sacrifices, and it’s time for the BJP to take responsibility for their actions”, he said.

Reacting to Prime Minister’s address in two rallies in J&K on Wednesday, Mr Tiwari regretted that during his two public rallies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi only spoke lies, ignoring the harsh realities on the ground.

“Under BJP rule, Jammu and Kashmir has tragically transformed into a hotbed of drug addiction. This, perhaps, is the BJP’s biggest ‘achievement’—the alarming rise in substance abuse”, he said, adding “The BJP has also continuously used the Kashmiri Pandit community as a mere political tool, exploiting their plight to gain electoral advantages while offering no real solutions”.

We also remember the Prime Minister’s uninvited visit to Pakistan, where his personal rapport with leaders across the border left many puzzled. On the eve of his recent visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan’s Defence Minister issued a controversial statement, which suggests a level of coordination that is deeply troubling. Pakistan’s defence minister now appears to act as the chief spokesperson of the BJP, while the Modi government’s weak responses to terrorism have allowed it to spread from the Valley into Jammu, where soldiers are being attacked.

In contrast to the firm responses given to Pakistan in 1965 and 1971, the BJP has chosen to engage in diplomatic ‘jugalbandi,’ which compromises our national security. The government’s lack of willpower to tackle terrorism is evident, and their silence on the issue of farmers is equally troubling. Over 700 farmers lost their lives during the farmers’ protests, yet the Prime Minister has not uttered a single word of concern.

It’s time for the BJP to stop misleading the nation and start answering the serious questions that both the public and our martyred soldiers’ families are asking. The nation demands accountability.”

He was flanked by JKPCC Senior Vice President & Chief Spokesperson Ravinder Sharma, AICC Media Coordinators Dolly Sharma, Onika Mehrotra, Ved Mahajan, Namrata Sharma, Kapil Singh, Sdr. Gurdarshan Singh & others.