‘70% fewer terrorist attacks in J&K’: Paatil hails abrogation decision, slams Congress

“The local residents are on a development journey after the abrogation of Article 370 and 35(a) in Jammu and Kashmir… the terrorist attacks have reduced by 70 per cent in the region. After getting such freedom, the local residents also have come out without fear,” Paatil said while addressing the media in Surat.

Hitting out at Congress, he said, “Every now and then, Congress talks about the Constitution as it is their favourite subject… but they just like to play it (up)”.“The National Conference (NC) leaders took oaths on the Constitution and formed the Cabinet. In the first assembly session, their first step should have been to carry out a discussion on the development projects, but they are trying to damage the decision (Abrogation of Article 370 and 35(A)) taken by the majority of Parliamentarians…” the BJP leader said.

“The Congress leaders who can be frequently seen with the copies of the Constitution in their hands are now supporting the National Conference in such an act. They (Congress and NC) are trying to damage the decision (of abrogation), on which the Supreme Court also had given its nod,” the Union minister added.

He further said, “We want to ask the Congress now where has their loyalty towards the Constitution gone, as they are seen supporting the NC on the issue. The Congress and Gandhi Parivar (family) have never been faithful to the Constitution and will not be in the future.”

“The people of Kashmir experienced freedom for the first time after the abrogation… The Dalits and Adivasis (tribal) are now getting benefits unlike earlier when their rights were snatched away in J&K. The NC and Congress leaders have to give an answer to the people of Kashmir and India as to why they want to snatch the rights of Adivasis, Dalits, minority community, and women.The real face of NC and Congress is now clear,” the Union minister said.

Reacting to Paatil’s allegations, Surat City Congress president Dhanaukh Rajput said: “They are telling lies about us. People have identified them and their lies…the best example can be seen in the people’s mandate during the recent Lok Sabha election as they (BJP) bagged fewer seats compared to 2019 election results. They will also get a good reply through the results of the upcoming Maharashtra elections.”