BJP's Amit Shah slams Congress for 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans at rallies; vows to ‘straighten’ Waqf Board law

India's Home Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Shah on Sunday (Sep 29) accused the Congress party of allowing 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans at its rallies in the poll-bound state of Haryana. Speaking at a rally in Badshahpur, Shah also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for 'lying' about the Agniveer scheme.

"I am seeing a new trend in Haryana. From Hathin to Thanesar and from Thansesar to Palwal, slogans of 'Pakistan Zindabad' are being raised on Congress stages. I want to ask Rahul Gandhi that when the leaders and workers of your party are raising the slogans of 'Pakistan Zindabad', why are you quiet? The Congress is blinded by appeasement," Shah said.

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He also slammed Rahul Gandhi for the Congress' promise to reinstate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, which was revoked by the BJP government.

"Is Kashmir ours or not? Should Article 370 have been removed or not? Congress and Rahul Baba say that they will bring Article 370 back. Even the three generations of Rahul Gandhi cannot bring Article 370 back... The youth of Haryana have made a lot of sacrifices to protect Kashmir and we will not let that go in vain," he added.

'Will make Waqf Board law straight': Amit Shah

Shah further promised that the government would introduce the Waqf Amendment Bill during the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament. "The Waqf Board law is causing a lot of problems, isn't it? We will improve and make it straight in this winter session," the BJP leader stated.

Amit Shah calls LoP Rahul Gandhi 'machine of speaking lies'

During the same rally, Shah also accused Rahul Gandhi of spreading misinformation about the Agniveer scheme. "Congress’ Rahul Baba is a machine of speaking lies. He says that the Agniveer scheme has been brought because the government does not want to give them a job with a pension," the BJP said.

“Agniveer scheme has only been made to keep our army young. I want to ask you to not hesitate before sending your sons to the army. Every Agniveer will get a job with a pension. After 5 years there will be no Agniveer without a job with a pension. No one needs to worry about it,” Shah added.

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Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha and a vocal critic of the Agniveer scheme, had previously said he would scrap it if the opposition INDIA bloc came to power. He has argued that the scheme neglected the welfare of Indian soldiers.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reduced India’s Jawans to mere laborers with his Agniveer scheme. The Army does not endorse this scheme; it is a creation of the Prime Minister’s Office. Once the Congress forms the government at the Centre, we will discard this scheme," the LoP had said at the time.

Haryana is scheduled to hold elections on October 5, with results to be announced on October 8.

(With inputs from agencies)