BJP, Congress slam Pakistani minister for anti-Modi comments

On Tuesday, Pakistan's Interior Affairs Minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan's reacted to Narendra Modi’s alleged comment about “attacking Pakistan”, saying that if Modi were elected as a prime minister, he would destabilise the regional peace. The BJP and Congress denounced his remarks on Wednesday, saying that the neighbouring country should stay within its limits and not interfere in India’s internal matters.

Nisar said that Modi's alleged remark on “attacking Pakistan” to bring back Dawood Ibrahim, widely believed to be living in Karachi, was “irresponsible and shameful”. “Modi should first decide where Dawood Ibrahim is living, and then he should dream of attacking Pakistan,” Nisar was quoted saying.

He said that those who are thinking of launching an operation on Pakistan soil “should realise that neither Pakistan is a weak country to be afraid of such threats, nor Pakistan can be impressed with such irresponsible statements”. He also said that the provocative and condemnable statement of the expected prime minister of India and leader of major political party was touching last limit of enmity towards Pakistan. He said that Narendra Modi had gone to the extent in enmity towards Pakistan, particularly Muslims, and that if elected as a prime minister it would destabilise the regional peace.

Meenakshi Lekhi, the BJP spokeperson, called Nisar’s statements “an over-reaction in a matter that is not his subject” and suggested that the manner with which Pakistan have been “trying to work with India will not work”. She said the Pakistani minister should understand that “individual leaders in sovereign nations are elected by the people, and no one from any other nation has the right to interfere in our national affairs”. Lekhi claimed Modi had never talked about attacking Pakistan and was instead questioning Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde’s statements that India would seek FBI’s help to nab Dawood Ibrahim.

“Pakistan’s Interior Minister’s statements raise serious doubts over their intention of aiding in bringing Indian criminals hiding in Pakistan to justice. It also amounts to an admission that Dawood is indeed living in Pakistan, and that this is in the knowledge of their Interior Minister. [He] should be concerned about internal matters of Pakistan, and not resort to creating a tense atmosphere between the two countries,” Lekhi said.

The Congress joined BJP in criticizing Nisar’s reactions. Congress leader and Union minister Manish Tewari termed Khan’s statement as “unfortunate” and said the Pakistani government must introspect on it.

Congress General Secretary, Shakeel Ahmed said, “Pakistan must definitely stay within limits and not interfere in our internal affairs. We are capable of handling our affairs.”