'Rahul Gandhi & Pakistan are same': BJP attacks NC-Congress alliance on Pak minister's Article 370 rant

In New Delhi, Pakistan's defense minister Khwaja Asif claimed that Congress, National Conference (NC), and Pakistan share a common stance on restoring Article 370 and 35A in Jammu and Kashmir. This statement has led to strong reactions from Indian political leaders.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized the statement, saying it "once again exposed Congress" and claimed the party has often worked with "anti-national forces." He stated, "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."

BJP's Amit Malviya also attacked Congress and Rahul Gandhi, sharing the video of the interview on social media. "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.


Former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekar echoed similar sentiments, accusing Congress of aligning with Pakistan on various issues. He questioned what leverage Pakistan might have over Congress.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla emphasized that this reveals Congress's stance, saying, "Congress NC ka Haath Pakistan ke Saath."

Before this controversy, BJP leaders had already been vocal about their opposition to Article 370. Amit Shah reiterated that Article 370 will not return, calling it an "old chapter of India’s history." Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condemned the NC-Congress alliance's intent to restore Article 370 during his rallies in Jammu and Kashmir.

The comments from Pakistan's minister coincide with PM Modi's campaign rallies in the region, which saw a 59% voter turnout in the first phase of the assembly elections.

While the National Conference has committed to restoring Article 370, the Congress has remained silent and focused on promising the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.