Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Friday urged all parties to speak with one voice on the "long-pending" issues of Kashmir and Naxalism, leaving aside political considerations.
He said the Kashmir issue and Naxalism are not the creations of the Narendra Modi Government and the Congress, which was in power for a long time, should have resolved the issues long ago.
The Union Minister also questioned why human rights activists raise a hue and cry when extremists are killed by security forces but keep mum over Maoist attacks in Naxalism-hit areas and the killing of soldiers in militant attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
"It is very unfortunate that the so-called human rights activists disappear on such occasions but raise a hue and cry when security forces act. When Naxalites kill civilians, they go silent. They practise double standards," the Union Minister said.
On Gautam Gambhir's foundation declaring it will bear educational expenses of the children of the soldiers killed in the Sukhma attack, he said it was a good gesture by the cricketer, who along with other sports persons like Virender Sehwag, speak out strongly against terrorism and Naxalism.
lashing out at the opposition, Naidu also said that it is time, all opposition parties introspected on the reasons for their downfall.
His remarks came as a response to rival parties, including the Congress, the AAP, the BSP and the SP, alleging that electronic voting machines are being manipulated to favour the BJP in elections.
When asked about Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal levelling similar charges, he said the Aam Aadmi Party chief was making "lame excuses and indulging in cheap publicity".
The Congress party also needs to do introspection as to why their popularity and acceptance is diminishing day-by-day while that of Modi is increasing, he added.