Hindu terrorism only a narrative created by Congress: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said there is no Hindu terrorism, and added that it was a counter narrative created by Congress and NCP as they felt that Muslims were moving away from them.

"The NIA has said that there is no evidence against Sadhvi Pragya. NIA is a national agency and it was created by the UPA government. In 2007-08, the terrorist activity was at its peak, blasts had taken place in Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad and other cities. Muslims were getting arrested. At that time, Muslims felt that the action was aimed against them so they started drifting away from Congress and NCP. To counter this, the narrative of Hindu terrorism was created so that Muslims don't go away from Congress- NCP. But there is nothing like Hindu terrorism," said Fadnavis.

Fadnavis was speaking to a select group of journalists at his official residence, Varsha, on the day of third phase of polling in Maharashtra.

Sadhvi Pragya Singh’s nomination as the BJP’s candidate from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh does not contradict the BJP’s definition of nationalism, felt the chief minister.

The Sadhvi is an accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the court has refused to discharge her.

Fadnavis said the NIA already said it has no proof. “We are relying on the NIA’s investigation. There is no proof of Sadhvi’s involvement and hence we decided to give her a ticket. She is out on bail just like Rahul Gandhi though you may say the charges are different, but in law there is no differentiation,” he said.

Fadnavis said in 2007-08 when terror attacks in India were at its peak, a large number of Muslims were arrested. “The Congress felt the Muslims were moving away from it and so it came up with a counter narrative and coined the term Hindu terror,” he said.

The chief minister said nominating the Sadhvi was not part of a plan to declare India a Hindu Rashtra. “It is no one’s view to make a change in the Indian Constitution but at the same time this country follows Hindu culture, and after all this is the only nation for Hindus. This nation gave shelter to Parsees and Jews and it is a reflection of Hinduism,” he said.

Fadnavis admitted that he didn't like the statement made by Sadhvi Pragya about slain IPS officer Hemant Karkare. "It was totally wrong. She should not have said it. Karkare was one of our finest officers. He gave his life for the country, " he said.

According to Fadnavis, the current election is 100 per cent about second term for Modi government. At many places, he found, people were voting for Modi and the actual candidate was a secondary concern. "There are two things that we have to understand. So far, the voting has been like last time. In 2014 there was a euphoria, a Modi wave in the middle class. The middle class is vocal, so that wave was visible. This time around, the wave is in the lower section of the society. This class is not vocal. But we can see a silent wave for Modi in this section," stated Fadnavis. "In fact, Modi factor is working to overcome local level incumbency against certain candidates. "

He also accused the Congress of playing the caste card in a big way. "The Congress has nothing to say. It is on a very weak wicket. It has become the B team in the state and Sharad Pawar is making all decisions," said the chief minister.

Fadnavis also dismissed the claims that Raj Thackeray, despite not contesting elections, had succeeded in setting the agenda through his aggressive criticism of Prime Minister Modi and BJP president Amit Shah. "Our response to Raj is bare minimum. Bare minimum for the reason that if we don't respond at all, people will think that Raj's statements are truthful. Raj is against us this time because he felt that Modi wave of 2014 finished his politics. He got only one MLA in last assembly elections, lost municipal elections. He also realised that he can not join us because we are firmly with Sena. So, he has gone to the other side. I am certain that he will join hands with Congress-NCP at the time of assembly elections a few months later. Raj is playing a clever game. He is holding rallies in seats where he can take the credit if the Congress-NCP candidates win. But the Congress and the NCP are getting exposed in it," he stated.

Expressing confidence that the political situation is favourable to the BJP, Fadnavis said that if we do not touch 43 (seats in Maharashtra) it will be because of our inability to make the best of favorable conditions.

Asked about BJP making nationalism its main election plank, Fadnavis said both development and nationalism were its main planks. “Even at his speech in Nandurbar on Monday, Prime Minister Modi spoke 15 minutes on development and devoted only five minutes to nationalism,” he said.

“Nationalism is an election issue in every country, and since the Congress in its manifesto has mentioned reviewing AFSPA, removing sedition etc. how can the BJP not raise the issue of nationalism?” he asked.

The BJP would win all the ten seats in Mumbai, Thane and Palghar, said the confident chief minister.

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