Cong spreading rumours about Art 370, says PM

HRY RALLY Says Cong should declare that it will reverse Centre’s decision if voted to power

CHARKHIDADRI/THANESAR(HARYANA): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday accused Congress leaders of spreading rumours abroad over the recent nullification of Article 370 and urged voters to punish the opposition party for this in the upcoming assembly polls.

Addressing a public meeting, Modi repeatedly dared the Congress to declare that it will reverse his government’s decision to nullify Article 370 if it is voted to power.

“Some leaders of the Congress have been spreading rumours about this decision in the country and in the world.”

“You can abuse Modi as much as you can and even import abuses from Bangkok, Thailand, Vietnam or from wherever you want. I have no problem if you speak against Modi. But they should stop backstabbing India, which is on the path of progress,” he added, in a barb directed at the Congress.

The prime minister addressed meetings in Charkhi Dadri and Kurukshetra’s Thanesar town on his second visit in two days to the state that goes to the polls on October 21.

“I want to ask the people of Haryana. Do you accept the decision on the abrogation of Article 370?” he said.

He said the decision was taken in national interest and the whole country is standing by J a mmu a nd Kashmir a nd Ladakh.

Charkhi Dadri, where the first meeting of the day took place, has a sizeable presence of people serving in the armed forces, as well as ex-servicemen.

He a s k e d p e o p l e a t t h e Charkhi Dadri meeting if they supported the Congress on Article 370, the now nullified constitutional provision that gave special status to J&K.

“Do you agree with the Congress’s stand, whether they are speaking right for the country,” he said.

“Should they not be punished severely? Would you do that on October 21?” he asked, predicting that Haryana would give the opposition party a “befitting reply”.

Modi said the people of the state have decided to put their