Congress leaders are playing dirty politics by seeking help from Pakistan, says Sitharaman. PHOTO: FILE
"Congress leaders are playing dirty politics by seeking help from Pakistan to remove PM Modi’s government," said Nirmala Sitharaman while addressing a two-day Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) convention on Saturday.
She also urged BJP workers to spread awareness about the government’s achievements, stressing that "PM Modi has provided a corruption-free five year tenure, which also saw no major terror attack".
The defence minister claimed the government was able to implement various social welfare programmes because it was able to ‘maintain peace’.
New alliance increases pressure on Modi's ruling BJP
Recently, the Hindu nationalist BJP lost power in three key states, forcing the government to announce a flurry of measures aimed at wooing small businesses and lower income groups.
Urging BJP workers to highlight two issues of importance, Sitharaman said: “First, there has been no major terror attack in the country since 2014 .... All attempts to wreak havoc in India have been thwarted at the border.”
PM Modi has faced calls for his resignation over allegations of corruption in a military jet deal with France, after former French president Francois Hollande said that New Delhi influenced the choice of local partner.
Will show Modi how to treat minorities: PM
Indian political parties have been gunning for Premier Modi over the 2016 purchase of 36 Rafale planes from Dassault Aviation estimated to be worth $8.7 billion, saying he had overpaid for the planes and the process had not been transparent.
In recent months, the opposition has questioned the government on the choice of billionaire businessman Anil Ambani’s Reliance Defence as Dassault’s local partner, instead of a state-run manufacturer with decades of experience.
With all due respect Modi Ji, in our culture respect for women begins at home.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 9, 2019
Stop shaking. Be a man and answer my question: Did the Air Force and Defence Ministry object when you bypassed the original Rafale deal?
Yes? Or No? #RafaleScam
1. Why is the PM in such a tearing hurry to sack the CBI Chief?
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 10, 2019
2. Why will he not allow the CBI Chief to present his case in front of the selection committee ?
Answer: RAFALE
This story originally appeared in the Times of India; with additional input from Reuters
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