Ranchi, May 21: BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Dev praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent foreign tour as highly successful, commending India‘s global diplomacy and strategic strength. He also launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, welcoming the West Bengal government’s decision on border security.
In an exclusive interview with a news agency, Pratul Shah Dev remarked that the tour was crucial for trade, defense, and strategic perspectives. Italy has upgraded India as its key strategic partner, while agreements have been made with Scandinavian countries in the renewable energy and defense sectors. He mentioned that Prime Minister Modi could share the achievements of this tour in a cabinet meeting. Regarding discussions on cabinet reshuffle, he stated that it is the Prime Minister’s prerogative and not appropriate for him to comment.
On Rahul Gandhi’s controversial remarks about PM Modi, the BJP spokesperson said that Gandhi is continuously lowering political decorum. He accused Gandhi of using derogatory terms for the Prime Minister and Home Minister Amit Shah, thereby dishonoring the nation. He suggested that Gandhi’s comments are influenced by the Pakistani government, which often references his statements in its documents. He questioned whether controlling terrorism, Maoism, and bomb blasts constitutes treachery, asserting that the public will not forgive Gandhi for such statements.
Praising India’s global diplomacy, Pratul Shah Dev highlighted the ongoing atrocities against minorities and various communities in Pakistan, contrasting it with the peace and development atmosphere created in Kashmir under Modi’s government. He noted a significant decrease in stone-pelting and militancy incidents since Modi took office, referencing the Pahalgam attack as an instance where India delivered a response Pakistan would never forget.
Discussing India-US nuclear energy relations, he stated that India is self-reliant in nuclear energy. Despite challenging international circumstances and sanctions, India has developed its nuclear capabilities. He welcomed any cooperation from the US but emphasized that India will not compromise on its strategic interests.
Pratul Shah Dev described US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to India as positive, asserting that the strategic partnership between the two largest democracies in the world is continually strengthening. He expressed hope that this visit would enhance bilateral relations and lead to progress on several pending agreements.
Mentioning the highest civilian honors awarded to PM Modi by various countries, he stated that being honored by 31-32 nations is proof of India’s growing global influence. He noted that many countries now regard India as a reliable partner, a testament to Modi’s leadership.
On the proposed ‘Vikasit Bharat Ji Ram Ji Yojana’ starting July 1, Pratul Shah Dev said it is a significant initiative by the central government aimed at strengthening the rural economy. The plan includes increased workdays and a fully digital payment process to curb corruption in schemes like MGNREGA.
He welcomed the decision to allocate land to the BSF for fencing at the border in West Bengal, calling it a major step towards preventing infiltration. He noted that this long-pending issue has been prioritized and resolved by the new government, and he also praised the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in West Bengal as a significant decision by the government.