Cong's policy in 'sync' with terrorists, alleges BJP

The BJP on Friday slammed the Congress for what it called was "deeply regrettable and shameful" statements by its leaders on Kashmir.

The BJP claimed that the "new" party under Rahul Gandhi is making remarks that are "in sync with terrorists" that makes Pakistan happy.

The saffron party's charge comes following Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad saying that the army is killing more civilians than terrorists and senior leader Saifuddin Soz's remarks in his yet-to-be-released book that he tends to agree with former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf's assessment that Kashmiris prefer independence if they are given a chance to exercise their free will.

"This is a new Congress under Rahul Gandhi and with the blessings of Sonia Gandhi which is strengthening the forces that want India to break. The party led by Rahul and blessed by Sonia is designed to make observations and political behaviour in sync with terrorists," senior BJP leader and Law Minister Ravishankar Prasad said at a press conference.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said the BJP's reaction was an "attempt to change the national discourse" when the party is facing the heat on a variety of issues.

On Soz, Surjewala said the Congress distances itself from his stand and termed it as a "gimmick to sell a book which is yet to come into the market". Surkewala added that "Soz is seeking cheap publicity and the Jammu and Kashmir Congress unit will take appropriate action".

This is the second consecutive day when the BJP is charging the Congress with helping Pakistan with its statements, which is seen as a calibrated move to corner the Congress against its criticism of the saffron party on a variety of issues, including Kashmir.

On Thursday, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said statements by Congress leaders on "saffron terror" was giving Pakistan a handle and helping it build its narrative.

Prasad said the Congress is making such statements due to its "pathological hatred" for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and "deep hatred" for the BJP and described Azad's statement as "unfortunate, shameful and deeply regrettable".

"With Azad's statement, Pakistan is happier. Nothing more surprises us as Lashkar-e-Toiba has supported his statement. For what political gains the Congress is standing with those forces that want to break India," Prasad said and referred to Rahul's criticism of surgical strikes and supporting a certain section of students from Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi.

“Azad is now trained under Rahul Gandhi and that is why he is making such statements. This was not the Azad who was the chief minister of Jammu & Kashmir and knew how terrorists operated,” Prasad added.