Pralhad Joshi, Santosh Lad lash out at each other

Pralhad Joshi
| Photo Credit: File Photo

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and State Labour Minister Santosh Lad were on Monday seen lashing out at each other over the issue of alleged non-distribution of eggs for schoolchildren in BJP-ruled States, Waqf Bill and Chinese incursion.

Speaking to presspersons in Hubballi on Monday, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi took exception to the remarks of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Mr. Lad and said both should stop speaking like ‘immature persons’.

“We have our government in Orissa and Uttarakhand. In Andhra Pradesh, the NDA government is in existence. In all these states, eggs are being given to schoolchildren. Both leaders should verify their facts before issuing such imprudent statements,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Lad had alleged that the BJP was trying to impose its ideology pertaining to food in the states it governs. He had also alleged that BJP was highlighting the Waqf Bill to cover up its failure in preventing the Chinese incursion. “China has come 175 km into Indian territory and encroached into 600 villages and created two posts. To cover up its failure, the Waqf issue is being highlighted,” he alleged.

Santosh Lad
| Photo Credit:
File Photo

Responding to the allegation, Mr. Joshi asked Mr. Lad to think twice before speaking on such sensitive issues. “The Chinese military had entered India long before when they gave the slogan ‘Hindu-Chini Bhai Bhai’. When China invaded Tibet, Congress did not do anything. Since then, China has encroached upon 34,000 sq.km. of Indian territory. There is no question of the Indian government allowing China to enter Indian territory. At least you should believe in what the defense officials say,” he said.

Defending the Waqf Bill, he said it would help poor Muslims and alleged that Congress had kept Muslims under fear for votebank politics.