Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Amid the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in the country, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday emphatically declared India's sovereignty over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Addressing a poll rally in West Bengal's Serampore, he also launched an attack on Opposition for the lacklustre law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir in the past.
Shah also highlighted the transformative impact of Prime Minister Modi's leadership in Kashmir. He noted the shift from strikes occurring within Kashmir valley during the I.N.D.I alliance's rule to now witnessing strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). "Earlier slogans of Azadi, stone pelting kind of things used to happen on our part, now it all happens in PoK...If 'Rahul Baba' and 'Mamata didi' are scared, let it be, PoK belongs to India and we will take it," he added.
On Mani Shankar Aiyar's 'atom bomb' remark
Shah also emphasised the disconcerting tactics employed by opposition leaders such as Mani Shankar Aiyar and Farooq Abdullah, who aim to "instil fear in the nation" by highlighting Pakistan's possession of nuclear weapons while neglecting discussions on Pakistan-PoK. "As many as 2.11 crore tourists went to Kashmir and created a new record and the price of flour in PoK created a record," Shah added.
Shah attacks Mamata Banerjee
The Union Home Minister asserted that Prime Minister Modi's government has been distributing 5 kg of rice free of cost to every impoverished individual. However, he criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly manipulating the distribution process. Shah claimed that while Modi's government sends rice, Banerjee purportedly affixes her own photo on top of it, implying a politicisation of welfare initiatives.
On Mamata's 'Ma, Maati, Manush' slogan
Additionally, Shah also took a dig at Mamata's slogan of 'Ma, Maati, Manush'. "Mamata Banerjee came into power with the slogan of 'Ma, Maati, Manush' but this slogan has lost now and 'Mulla, Maulavi, Madrasa' is there at the ground... She denies the permission of 'Durga Visarjan' but gives leave to Muslim employees in Ramzan..." Shah added. It should be mentioned here that polling in West Bengal is being conducted across all seven phases and the counting of votes is scheduled for June 4.
