Congress defaming India, says BJP leader

Lucknow, Nov 26  BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain on Thursday accused the Congress of "defaming" the country through the issue of increasing intolerance and showing signs of desperation.

"It is a sad commentary on the Congress mindset. First, it targeted the BJP, then the Modi government and now they are out to insult the nation by stoking the intolerance debate, which on ground does not exist at all," he said. 

The desperation and frustration of the Congress could be gauged from the fact that it was seeking the help of the people of Pakistan to remove Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party spokesman told the media here.

He said Bollywood actor Aamir Khan's statement on intolerance had caused great harm to the country's image.

"Aamir Khan does not appear to be afraid or threatened in this whole episode; in fact, he is instilling unnecessary fear in the minds of the ordinary people," Hussain said. 

Hussain said the Islamic State (IS) was a "blot on Islam" and had "nothing to do with the religion that taught compassion and love for all".

Asked if the battle in Uttar Pradesh for the 2017 assembly elections would became difficult for the BJP after a drubbing in neighbouring Bihar, the former union minister said the BJP was taking stock of the defeat and win in Uttar Pradesh. 

"Losing one match in a series does not mean the series is lost," he quipped.