As on Saturday two back-to-back explosions rocked a busy locality in Jammu's Narwal leaving nine people wounded, Congress leaders today said such incidents wouldn’t derail the yatra and it will continue. But they expressed concern about the security of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
The party said it would compress the Bharat Jodo Yatra in view of the security concerns. “There will be no compromise about the security of Rahul ji (Rahul Gandhi). Rahul Ji’s security is paramount for all of us. Whatever advice and advisory security agencies would give us, we will abide by it," Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, talking to reporters on Sunday afternoon in Samba district of Jammu.
"Every Bharat Yatri has this in mind there will be no compromise on the security,” he added.
“Despite high security alert such incidents took place near the yatra. Yesterday’s two blasts are of serious concern,” another Congress leader Ravinder Sharma said.
“We are together in the fight against terrorism. We appreciate security forces for doing their work. We also have concerns about our leader’s security. We have followed all advisories,” he added.
As the BJP is attacking Congress accusing it of not taking a stand on Article 370, the party said the BJP is unnerved with “popularity” of Bharat Jodo Yatra and is raising these questions as diversionary tactics. The party called for starting a political process in Jammu and Kashmir by holding polls and restoring statehood to J&K.
“We are talking about Bharat Jodo Yatra. We are not talking about politics. From day one BJP is out to defame Bharat Jodo Yatra. They are also trying to distort the image of Rahul Gandhi. They first raised the issue of the container, and then talked about his shoes and then his T-shirt,” Ramesh said.
“Article 370 is a serious issue. But the bigger issue is democratic process in J&K state. J&K no longer is a state now, it is Union Territory. Not even UT but it has become Home Ministry’s attached office,” Ramesh said.
“The question is when will polls be held in J&K, when J&K will become full-fledged statehood,” he said. “We are a political party. We are not an NGO. And we are fighting against the divisive politics of the BJP,” he said.
Ramesh, however, said Congress party’s stand is uncompromising fight against terrorism whatever source it arises. “We shouldn’t have any compromise in dealing with either perpetuates of terrorism or sponsors of terrorism,” he added. “But let me also say that BJP’s politics is revenge politics,” he said. He said the BJP has got FDI in the country. “The FDI is fear, deception and intimidation,” he said.
