Remarks reported by Swatantra Dev Singh appear to deviate from India’s position (File)
Ballia:
In a controversial remark, BJP leader in Uttar Pradesh, Swatantra Dev Singh, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had decided when the country would be at war with Pakistan and China.
His remarks on Friday came amid tensions over the actual line of control between India and China, where both countries have deployed troops.
The BJP leader linked his claim to the start of construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya following a Supreme Court ruling and the repeal of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370 of the Constitution.
“Like the decisions regarding Ram Mandir and Article 370, Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided when there would be war with Pakistan and China,” he said in a video clip posted on social media.
“Sambandhit tithi tai hai,he said in Hindi, claiming that a decision had been made on the date.
Mr Singh was speaking at an event at the home of BJP MK Sanjay Yadav, who released the video.
In his speech, Mr. Singh compared the workers of the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party to “terrorists”.
When asked about the remarks, local MP Ravindra Kushwaha said the UP BJP chairman made them to boost the morale of party workers.
The remarks reported by Swatantra Dev Singh appear to deviate from India’s position.
On Sunday, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated that India wanted to end border tensions with China while saying it would not allow “even an inch” of soil to be taken away by anyone.
