On Modi’s Pakistan remark, Hardik says ‘unfortunate to have a weak PM’

Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel has attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the latter’s allegation that Pakistan is interfering in Gujarat Assembly elections. Taking to Twitter, the Patel leader said that it was “unfortunate” to have a “weak” Prime Minister like Modi.

Pointing that Pakistan has not been able to cause India any harm in the last 70 years, Patel alleged that despite being the Prime Minister, Modi was showing people the fear of the neighbouring country.

70 सालों में पाकिस्तान हमारा कुछ नहीं बिगाड़ पाया और अब मोदी जी ख़ुद PM होकर देश की जनता को पाकिस्तान का डर दिखा रहे हैं।कितना दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण हैं की एसे निर्बल प्रधानमंत्री हमें मिले हैं। — Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) December 12, 2017

Addressing a rally in Gujarat on Sunday, PM Modi had alleged that Pakistan was interfering in Gujarat Assembly polls, and sought an explanation from the Congress over its top partymen who are said to have recently met leaders from the neighbouring country.

The prime minister had also raised questions over the alleged appeal by former director general of the Pakistan Army, Sardar Arshad Rafiq, that senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel be made chief minister of Gujarat.

Responding to the allegations, the Congress had launched an all-out attack, led by former prime minister Manmohan Singh. A statement by the veteran Congress leader said, "I sincerely hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will show the maturity and gravitas expected of the high office he holds instead of concentrating his energy solely on erroneously scored brownie points."

"Sadly & regrettably, Sh. Modi is setting a dangerous precedent by his insatiable desire to tarnish every constitutional office, including that of a Former Prime Minister and Army Chief," he added.

"I reject the innuendos and falsehoods as I did not discuss Gujarat elections with anyone else at the dinner hosted by Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar… Nor was the Gujarat issue raised by anyone present at the dinner. The discussion was confined to India-Pakistan relations," Manmohan Singh had said in his statement.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar had also attacked PM Modi over his statement, saying he should be ashamed of making such “wild allegations”. "Shame on you, prime minister, for making such allegations! You have made the allegations against this country's former prime minister (Manmohan Singh) and former defence officials," Pawar, a former defence minister himself, said.

NDA constituent Shiv Sena had also targeted the Prime Minister for resorting to “histrionics” and taking the Gujarat poll campaign to “a new low”.

Apart from these, the foreign office of the neighbouring country had also issued a statement on Twitter saying “India should stop dragging Pakistan into its electoral debate”. A tweet posted by Pakistan foreign ministry spokesperson Mohammad Faisal had said, “India should stop dragging Pakistan into its electoral debate and win victories on own strength rather than fabricated conspiracies, which are utterly baseless and irresponsible.”

The BJP reacted sharply to this statement saying “Pakistan must stop giving us lessons, we are proud of our democracy”.