In a scathing critique of the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Government, the Congress on Saturday charged the Centre with compromising national security and defaming the country on foreign soil. The number of ceasefire violations by Pakistan grew manifold since the BJP came to power.
Prior to the lok Sabha elections, Modi said the country needed a prime minister with a 56-inch chest, but it seems the size of his chest has shrunk to 5.6, said Congress general secretary Shakeel Ahmad while addressing media in the run-up to the BJP Government completing its first anniversary at the Centre.
Ceasefire violations took place on 746 occasions during the past year as against 96 times a year before when the United Progressive Alliance Government was in power, he said. Underlining the need for spending on defence purposes for boosting the security of the nation, Ahmad said the Centre failed to utilise the money allocated for defence expenditure by Rs28,446 crore.
The Budgetary allocation for Mountain Strike Corps was reduced by almost half. Significantly, the decision was taken three weeks ahead of Modi’s visit to China, who had taken strong exception when the Mountain Strike Corps was formed. Moreover, the Prime Minister maintained silence during his visit to China over the issue of Chinese official media showing India’s map sans Arunachal Pradesh and Kashmir. Besides, the BJP has failed to fulfill its promise of implementing One Rank One Pension scheme announced by the previous UPA Government for ex-servicemen.