Congress slams Modi for politics over war memorial

The Congress on Monday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for delivering a political speech ahead of inaugurating the National War Memorial.

“There is a certain dignity and solemnness to the occasion dealing with place commemorating the valour and sacrifice of our soldiers. That was destroyed by Modi, who can't think beyond his personal PR, politics and votes, even when it is about martyrs,” Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi said here.

She also took exception to the absence of President Ram Nath Kovind, the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, from the function.

“As per protocol, the President should be inaugurating the National War Memorial. Modi has not even invited him,” Chaturvedi said.

Addressing a rally of ex-servicemen, Modi accused the previous Congress governments of playing with national interest, saying that there was a concept of “family first” instead of “nation first.”

“From Bofors to helicopters (AgustaWestland VVIP chopper), all the probe leads to the doors of one family. And it says a lot ... and now these people are using all their tactics so that the modern jet does not come to India,” Modi said in an apparent reference to the Rafale fighter jets.

Former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also slammed Modi for turning the war memorial function into a political event.

“Credit to the PM Modi for building a national war memorial after 70 years. Disappointed with politician Modi for politicising the occasion by making a blatantly political speech at the inauguration,” Abdullah said.