Instead of ‘hua toh hua’, Cong should apologise for ’84: Rajnath

: Raising the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and Balakot issues at an election rally in support of SAD-BJP’s Anandpur Sahib candidate Prem Singh Chandumajra here on Thursday, Union home minister Rajnath Singh said that it was for the first time since 2004 that inflation was not an issue in this election as the Narendra Modi government delivered on the economic front.

Lauding Chandumajra for his aggressive presence in the Parliament, Rajnath appealed to the people to vote for the alliance candidate. He claimed that the BJP would get two-third majority in the coming elections.

Earlier, on his arrival at the venue, the home minister had to face an embarrassing situation as neither the candidate had arrived nor there were enough audience in the hall. BJP national vicepresident Avinash Rai Khanna kept him company for nearly half-an-hour. Sources said Singh wanted to leave without addressing but BJP leaders persuaded him to stay. Chandumajra reportedly apologised to the minister for the delay saying he was expecting he would come late. Later, Rajnath was taken inside the hall when reasonable number of people had gathered.

Condemning Congress leader Sam Pitroda’s ‘hua toh hua’ remark, the home minister said what happened in 1984 was highly deplorable. “Instead of saying hua to hua, Congress should apologise for the anti-Sikhs riots,” he said.

SKIPS SANGRUR RALLY DUE TO CHOPPER GLITCH

: Rajnath on Thursday skipped SAD-BJP rally, organised in support of alliance candidate from Sangrur Parminder Singh Dhindsa, reportedly due to technical glitch in helicopter.

Addressing rally in absence of the Union home minister, former CM Parkash Singh Badal praised Dhindsa’s decision to contest polls amid ‘opposition’. Apparently, Parminder’s father Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa had asked him not to enter the poll fray as public mood was not in favour of the party. “Parminder is heart of the SAD. I wish he wins with more votes than other Akali candidates,” said Badal.

Under Modi, India does not send dossiers to Pak, now it is action straightaway. We have a crystal clear policy — do not make the first move but if ruffled, do not spare anyone. RAJNATH SINGH, home minister