Jammu: The ruling National Conference (NC) yesterday demanded an apology from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for describing Jammu and Kashmir as a beggar state.
Modi, during his maiden public rally in the state’s winter capital Jammu on December 1, said despite huge natural resources, Jammu and Kashmir was always approaching the central government with a begging bowl.
In a joint statement, NC leaders yesterday said it was neither a slip of the tongue nor an inadvertent mistake but a deliberate attempt on Modi’s part to provoke the people of Jammu and Kashmir to react so BJP could derive benefit in the states during the just-concluded assembly polls and the 2014 general elections.
The ruling party leaders said the Gujarat chief minister has tried to belittle the people by describing Jammu and Kashmir as a beggar state and the statement has demonstrated insensitivity, arrogance and lack of comprehension of a person aspiring to become the prime minister.
“By showing immense degree of sagacity, the people of the state have not obliged the saffron brigade to succeed in its machinations”, the NC leaders said, cautioning the people against the BJP’s designs.
IANS
