Rajnath Singh warns govt, says if Shinde not sacked, will expand protest to Parliament

The newly-crowned BJP president Rajnath Singh today, at the start of party-sponsored nation-wide protests, launched a frontal attack on the government and the Congress party for the 'outrageous' remarks of Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde whose which sought to link RSS, BJP and the wider Sangh Parivar to 'Hindu terror'.

Saying the nation expected a lot from Congress at its Chintan Shivir in Jaipur, but it delivered nothing for the people of the country: "At a time when India is having to deal with terror, crime, corruption, inflation and more, Congress' shivir had nothing to say on the most important issues with which people are struggling. Instead, all they had to say was 'Hindu terror'."

Warning the govt that this statement has crossed all limits, he said, "Today, we are protesting on streets, tomorrow, if government does not sack Sushilkumar Shinde, BJP will expand the fight to both houses of Parliament."

Justifying the launch of nation-wide protest, he said, "Congress has vitiated the atmosphere not just within India, but also weakened the country's position internationally too as it has allowed Pakistan to take advantage. Someone has to stop the Congress and its govt."

Rajnath said country expects the top authorities in country to explain the fraught situation in India, going on to add, "Congress chief Sonia Gandhi talks only about small issues, while PM Manmohan Singh never speaks, or it takes him months and even years to react."

"We expect nothing from PM, but we do expect Sonia to speak. Perhaps, she is not speaking because Shinde's words are increasing the Congress vote bank."

"Our opponents have not been able to besmirch the good name of the BJP and they are therefore, looking at dishonest ways to do it."

BJP leaders and supporters gathered at Jantar Mantar gave their new president a standing ovation as he concluded his speech.

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