As a flurry of responses poured in from the BJP, Union minister Shah joined the chorus and accused the Congress party of working "hand-in glove with anti-national forces" to hurt the sentiments of the countrymen.
"Be it asking for proof of air strikes and surgical strikes or saying objectionable things about the Indian Army, the tune of Rahul Gandhi's Congress Party and Pakistan has always been the same", Amit Shah said on X.
Claiming that the Pakistan minister's statement has "exposed the Congress", the home minister reiterated his government's stance that Article 370 will never enter J&K.
पाकिस्तान के रक्षा मंत्री का आर्टिकल 370 और 35A पर कांग्रेस और JKNC के समर्थन की बात ने एक बार फिर कांग्रेस को एक्सपोज कर दिया है। इस बयान ने पुनः यह स्पष्ट कर दिया है कि कांग्रेस और पाकिस्तान के इरादे भी एक हैं और एजेंडा भी। पिछले कुछ वर्षों से राहुल गाँधी देशवासियों की भावनाओं…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 19, 2024
Sharing a video of the interview, BJP's Amit Malviya immediately launched hit out at the Congress and Rahul Gandhi. "Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif, on Hamid Mir’s Capital Talk on Geo News says, “Pakistan and National Conference-Congress alliance are on the same page in Jammu & Kashmir to restore Article 370 and 35A”, he wrote on X.
Pakistan, a terrorist state, endorses Congress and National Conference’s position on Kashmir.
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) September 19, 2024
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, on Hamid Mir’s Capital Talk on Geo News says, “Pakistan and National Conference-Congress alliance are on the same page in Jammu & Kashmir to… pic.twitter.com/In8SOJKHBZ
The BJP leader also drew a reference to Sikh separatist Pannun's endorsements of Rahul's comments in the US. "How is it that, from Pannun to Pakistan, Rahul Gandhi and his Congress are always seen on the side of those inimical to India’s interest?" he asked.
Recently, Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun endorsed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks on the "existential threat" to the Sikh community in India.
Former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekar also took to X with the video, accusing Rahul Gandhi and Congress of always cozying up to Pakistan.
"Under Rahul Gandhi the Congress position on every issue is always the same as Pakistans position. Take any position from J&K to Bangladesh - they have same position. What power does Pakistan exercise over Rahul? What is reason for this control? Does Pakistan have leverage on Cong ?" the BJP leader asked.
This shd be known and understood by every Indian.
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@RajeevRC_X) September 19, 2024
Under Rahul Gandhi the Cong position on every issue is always the same as Pakistans position. Take any position from J&K to Bangladesh - they hv same position.
What powrr does Pakistan exercise over Rahul? What is reason for… https://t.co/FxbFI11Q6s
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also pounced upon the Congress, saying "the cat is out of the bag". "Was there ever any doubt? For the sake of opposing PM Modi, they can even stand with Pakistan", he said.
"Congress NC ka Haath Pakistan ke Saath", he added.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Hamid Mir’s Capital Talk on Geo News says, “Pakistan and National Conference-Congress alliance are on the same page in Jammu & Kashmir to restore Article 370 and 35A”
— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) September 19, 2024
Was there ever any doubt?
Today the cat is out of the bag
For Modi… pic.twitter.com/0AZ8jzd89S