Cong govts tied hands of Army, Modi gave free hand: BJP

• Sainik colonies in each distt will be set up: Lt Gen Rakesh Sharma

JAMMU: The J&K BJP Spokesperson, Lt Gen (Retd), Rakesh Sharma on Monday said that Cong governments tied the hands of Army but Modi government after 2014 gave free hand to the Army and also gave respect to the jawans and their families.

This was stated by Rakesh Sharma, while addressing a press conference at BJP media center, here today. Col Satnam Singh, Ex-servicemen Cell, YV Sharma, BJP Spokesperson, and Dr Pardeep Mahotra, BJP media incharge were also present in the press conference.

“Previous governments of Cong did not give due respect to the Army jawans and also tied hands of the Army,” Rakesh Sharma said, adding, “PM Modi gave free hand to Army due to which Army carried out Surgical Strike and Balakote Air Strike to teach Pak a lesson”.

He said that Cong gave half of J&K to Pakistan in 1947-48 and also returned 93,000 surrendered prisoners of Pakistan in 1971 without ensuring release of Indian soldiers from Pak prisons.

Rakesh Sharma said, “Our Army had reached Lahore in 1971 but Cong govt gave it back without getting back PoJK”. Cong delayed One Rank One Pension (OROP) for years but Modi govt gave OROP to Army Jawans in 2 years, he said.

He said that BJP govt will set up Sainik Colonies in each district and Zila Sainik Welfare office will also be set up in each district. “BJP govt will also give free plots to the families of martyrs and ensure free education for children of the martyrs,” he said.

Sharma also said that Brig Rajinder Singh Colony will also be established, which is pending for the last 20 years and Dogra certificate will also be revived.