Congress' "prem" for Pakistan "doesn't seem to stop": BJP slams Mani Shankar Aiyar's remarks

New Delhi [India], May 10 : Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar triggered a fresh row by claiming that India should "respect" Pakistan because it has an "atom bomb," Bharatiya Janata Party came down heavily on the Congress and said that the party's love for the neighbouring country is never-ending.
In an April 15 interview with 'Chill Pill' Aiyar, Aiyar said that Pakistan is a respected nation that also possesses an atom bomb so India must enter into a dialogue with them.
Responding to this, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said that Aiyar, who is close to the Congress' "first family" is displaying the muscle and strength of Pakistan on behalf of the Congress party.
"Congress' 'Pakistan prem' doesn't seem to stop. Mani Shankar Aiyar who is close to the 'first family' is displaying the muscle and strength of Pakistan on behalf of Congress party. He says that Pakistan should be respected and talks should be held with them - the same Pakistan that keeps sending terrorists to our country...Now, when incidents like Pulwama take place, a befitting reply is given...Today, Pakistan keeps pleading on international platforms to spare them...Look at the list of Congress - how they first received support from Pakistan, a clean chit was given to Kasab in 26/11, the language of Pakistan was spoken by uttering the words 'Indian Administered Kashmir'...now 'Congress ka haath' is being seen with 'Pakistan ke saath'. This is another example of the same," Poonawalla said in a self-made video.
Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who is contesting against Congress leader Shashi Tharoor from Thiruvananthapuram seat, said that the "ideology" of Rahul Gandhi's Congress is "fully visible in these elections".
"Support to and from Pakistan, including offering to give up Siachen. Support to and from domestic terror-linked organizations and people like SDPI, and Yasin Malik. Rampant Corruption and loot of money meant for the poor. Racism, Divisiveness and Ignorance of @sampitroda. Appease the Muslim community at the cost of all others including SC, OBC, and ST who have been denied progress for decades. MOU and alliance wth the Chinese Communist Party. Dividing people, Lies, Abuse, and fake guarantees to mislead the poor and vulnerable. Today's Cong episode stars Manishankar Iyer," he posted on X.
BJP MP and party's candidate from Gorakhpur Lok Sabha seat Ravi Kishan said that this is not the India of Congress adding that this is India of PM Modi.
"At this time Pakistan is collecting foodgrains for itself. They are facing a food crisis...Mani Shankar Aiyar should get himself treated somewhere. This is not the India of Congress. Now, India is very powerful. This is the India of PM Modi," he said.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya said that the people of Congress are "rattled."
"After seeing the certainty of huge defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the people of Congress are rattled. Those who don't have trust in the Indian military, which has the most capable ammunition in the world, instead of residing in India, they should go to Pakistan," he said.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur said that Congress leaders stay in India but their hearts reside in Pakistan.
"Congress leaders stay in India but their hearts reside in Pakistan. What courage does Pakistan have? India knows how to give a befitting reply," Thakur said.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh alleged that Aiyar was speaking the "language of Pakistan".
"Rahul Gandhi, Congress, Mani Shankar Aiyar are speaking the language of Pakistan...I would like to say that Congress should leave this dual policy, India is so powerful that if it casts an eye over us, Pakistan will no longer be there. He is speaking the language of Farooq Abdullah, of Pakistan. Congress speaks the language of Pakistan, of terrorists," he said.
Meanwhile, the Congress party in their first reaction to Aiyar's remarks said that Congress has no such stand.
"Mani Shankar Aiyar doesn't hold an official position. So, whatever he says is his personal opinion. Congress has no such stand. Congress is not speaking anything on it," Congress leader Udit Raj said.
Aiyar further said there have been no efforts from India to reach out to Pakistan in the last ten years.
In an interview with Chill Pill Mani Shankar Aiyar on April 15 said, "They are also a sovereign country (Pakistan). They are a respected nation. You can talk tough with them (Pakistan). But start the dialogue. You are walking with a gun which yielded you nothing. Tensions are escalating. And if a mad person comes there, what will happen to the nation? They have an atom bomb. We also possess the atomic bomb. But if a mad person detonates our bomb at Lahore station, so within eight seconds, eight moments, its radioactivity will reach Amritsar.
He added: "So you should prevent the use of atomic bombs. But, if you start a dialogue with them (Pakistan) and encourage them (by considering them as), then they should start thinking about their atomic bomb. But if you snub them, then a mad person will come and detonate the bomb. Then what will happen?"
He also took a veiled attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging that there had been no effort to reach out to Pakistan in 10 years.
"We must understand that to become the 'Vishwaguru' (global leader), it is important to show that we are working rapidly to solve (all the bilateral issues) with Pakistan. There has been no effort (on the part of the government) to ( reach out to Pakistan) in the last ten years," the Congress leader added.
Aiyar's pro-Pakistan stand was slammed by several BJP leaders, Union Minister Rajiv Chandrasekhar said the comment reflected Congress' ideology.
"Rahul's Congress "ideology" is fully visible in these elections. Support to and from Pakistan including offering to give up Siachen, support to and from domestic terror-linked organizations and people like SDPI, Yasin Malik. Rampant Corruption and loot of money meant for the poor. Racism, divisiveness and ignorance of Sam Pitroda. Appease the Muslim community at the cost of all others including SC, OBC, and ST who have been denied progress for decades. MOU and alliance with the Chinese Communist Party. Dividing people, Lies, Abuse and fake guarantees to mislead the poor and vulnerable. Today Congress' episode stars Manishankar Iyer," he posted on X.
Earlier on May 5, responding to Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's remark that "PoK will be merged with India," Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah said that Pakistan is not wearing bangles and also has atom bombs that they would use.