Congress questions Modi's silence on ceasefire violations

 The Congress on Tuesday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “silence” on heavy shelling by Pakistan troops which has claimed five civilian lives along the international border in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday night.

“Pakistan troops are firing at Indian border outpost and civilian areas and killing innocent civilians. The Prime Minister, who is quick to express his views on social media, is neither tweeting nor saying anything on this during his poll campaigns in Maharashtra and Haryana.

He is completely silent on this issue,” Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed said. The Congress spokesperson charged Modi of double-speak, recalling how he criticised United Progressive Alliance government in past over ceasefire violations by Pakistan troops when the Bharatiya Janata Party was sitting in the Opposition.

Ahmed also took a dig at the Prime Minister for his remarks that one needs 56-inch chest to deal with such situation. “I feel that instead of 56-inch chest, the Prime Minister has 5.6 inch chest. It is being realised in so many days,” he said.The Congress also expressed concern over lack of full-time defence minister.

 Ahmed said it was regretful that Modi was yet to find a “suitable full-time” defence minister from his 281 MPs when country was facing such a situation.“We all know that Arun Jaitley is a part-time defence minister.

A person, who used to talk about the country's security and respect so much before becoming the Prime Minister, could not find any capable person from his 281 MPs who could be made country’s defence minister,” he said.