Rajnath Singh slams CPI(M) manifesto over nuke disarmament promise: ‘Pak, China have it’

“Atal ji gave India the status of a nuclear power… You want to weaken India's power,” Rajnath Singh accused Opposition.

Updated on: Apr 17, 2024, 17:28:48 IST

By HT News Desk

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Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday questioned the Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s election manifesto that pledged to dismantle India's nuclear weapons, accusing it of compromising national security. He also sought clarity from the Congress party on the issue.

File: Rajnath Singh addresses a public meeting. (Pushkar Singh Dhami-X)

In an election rally in Kasaragod, Singh said, “CPI(M) has released its manifesto in which they have said that if they come to power, they will destroy India's nuclear weapons. I want to ask the Congress party what will you do with this promise of CPI(M).”

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In Kerala, there is a triangular battle for Lok Sabha seats between the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), CPI(M)-led LDF and BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

The CPI(M) in its manifesto has said that there will be "complete elimination of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, including chemical and biological weapons".

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“Atal ji gave India the status of a nuclear power by conducting not one but five successful nuclear tests,” the senior BJP leader said, accusing the Opposition of wanting to weaken India's power.

He said that since Pakistan and China too have nuclear weapons, “talking about destroying India's nuclear weapons is nothing less than playing with the country's security.”

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“This is a conspiracy to weaken the country's security,” Singh alleged.

Singh attacked both UDF and LDF, alleging that they have "looted the people of Kerala in their successive regimes."

He said, "Now they are planning a joint ‘Money Heist’ at the centre. We will not let this happen. The people of India have decided 'Abki Baar Chaar Sau Paar' (this time, we will cross the 400 mark)."

The Lok Sabha elections will be held in Kerala on April 26 and the results will be declared on June 4.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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