The ruling BJP and the main Opposition Congress traded barbs in the Gujarat Assembly on Monday as they condemned the February 14 terror attack on a CRPF convoy in Jammu & Kashmir.
While the BJP claimed the “unresolved” Kashmir issue was the root cause of today’s situation, the opposition party raked up the release of terrorist Maulana Masood Azhar.
Legislators cutting across the party lines condemned the terror attack in Pulwama last week in which 44 CRPF jawans were killed.
The Gujarat Government has called a five-day session of the Assembly from Monday to present a vote-on- account instead of a full budget due to the coming Lok Sabha polls.
Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government was taking all necessary steps to wipe out terrorism.
“This House, in one voice, condemns the terror attack on our jawans. All the political parties have come together to fight terrorism. Every citizen of this country is with our soldiers. People want a fight-to-finish to wipe out terrorists completely,” he said.
Leader of Opposition Paresh Dhanani said while people extended unconditional support to the Centre to fight terrorism, several attacks have taken place on the armed forces in Kashmir in the last couple of years.
“There are many other means to acquire power. But when someone tries to break our unity, we all must resolve to give a befitting reply to such elements. Mere talks will not serve any purpose. We have to take decisive steps to eliminate terrorism,” said the Congress leader.
Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said the root cause of the current situation was the unresolved Kashmir issue.
“If Congress leaders had allowed (then Union home minister) Sardar Patel to handle the Kashmir issue...We may not have been facing this problem today,” he said.
Responding to him, Congress’ Amit Chavda said Congress leaders have committed several sacrifices to maintain India’s unity and integrity. Referring to Modi, Chavda said people are now demanding decisive action, not just assurances.