Terming Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narendra Modi’s mention of her son Kargil martyr Captain Vikram Batra a “shameless rhetoric”, Aam Aadmi Party’s Hamirpur camdidate Kamal Kanta Batra on Tuesday said her son’s mention in a political speech was a tactic to garner the support of ex-servicemen and serving soldiers.
“The BJP’s quoting my son is nothing but a shameless rhetoric to garner the support of army men. I condemn it and ask the pseudo-patriots to leave the martyrs’ families alone,” she told HT, adding that the BJP was politicising issues related to the army, which was not in the nation’s interest.
Batra said BJP leaders, including Modi, should respect soldiers and realise the worries of their families. Challenging Modi to a debate, Batra asked what he and his party have done for the welfare of soldiers, their families and martyrs’ families.
She added that soldiers and their families were given less representation in the Parliament. “I am contesting the election to represent the families of soldiers and martyrs. If Modi has so much respect for us, why doesn’t he ask his party’s Hamirpur candidate Anurag Thakur, who’s been mentioned in a charge-sheet, to withdraw from the contest,” Batra said.
Intensifying the attack on Modi and the BJP, Batra alleged that no one supported the Kargil martyrs. “No one from the Congress or the BJP took the case of Kargil martyr Saurabh Kalia to international court of justice. I want to know Modi’s stand on it,” said Batra.
{{/usCountry}}Intensifying the attack on Modi and the BJP, Batra alleged that no one supported the Kargil martyrs. “No one from the Congress or the BJP took the case of Kargil martyr Saurabh Kalia to international court of justice. I want to know Modi’s stand on it,” said Batra.
{{/usCountry}}Hitting out at the BJP over the coffin procurement scam, she asked Modi to clear his stance over the issue.
She added, “I have no problem with anyone using any of Vikram’s slogans. I just want to ask where Modi was in the last 15 years and if he has met martyrs’ families.”