Protests by Rahul, Kejriwal 'political drama': Abbas Naqvi

RAMPUR (UP): Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today termed protests by Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over the OROP issue as a "political drama" and a "conspiracy" to demoralise the county's security forces.

Accusing Congress and AAP of forgetting national interest for "narrow" gains, he dubbed both the leaders as "passwords of political drama" and warned that their politics over the pension issue will "wipe out" their "remaining" political base.

"...Those people who have forgotten national interest for their narrow political interests have also forgotten that their act will lead to wipe out of their remaining political base," Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, Naqvi, during 'Run for Unity' rally here, said.

"First they raised questions on surgical strikes, then on killing of SIMI terrorists, now they are trying to create confusion over OROP," he said.

Naqvi's remarks came in the wake of protests by Rahul Gandhi and Kejriwal in Delhi after 70-year-old ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal allegedly committed suicide over OROP.

He alleged that "certain political forces" have "eschewed" national interests for "nefarious" political gains.

The Union minister said "such forces" should rise from "short-sighted attitude" and support the government's efforts to safeguard the borders and create peaceful and congenial atmosphere in the country.

Naqvi claimed that "terror forces" have been isolated at the global-level with the entire world strongly opposing "evil" elements.

During the rally, Naqvi also administered pledge to attendees asking them to preserve unity and integrity of the nation.