<p>As the campaigning for the first phase of the Gujarat elections draws to an end, PM Narendra Modi conducted a rally in Surat earlier today.</p>

<p>While addressing the local crowd here, PM Modi talked about Congress&#39; failure as a governing party, &quot;People did not get continuous electricity. When the BJP got to serve Gujarat we ensured continuous power. The demand for Surat was long pending and it is the BJP that has worked on this,&quot; he noted.</p>

<p>PM Modi went on to talk about Congress&#39; Mani Shankar Aiyar who had allegedly called him &quot;neech&quot;. &quot;Congress leaders are speaking in a language that is not acceptable in a democracy. One Congress leader, who has studied in best institutions, served as a diplomat, was a Minister in Cabinet, said Modi is &#39;Neech.&#39; This is insulting. This is nothing but a Mughalai mindset,&quot; PM Modi exclaimed.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congress leaders are speaking in a language that is not acceptable in democracy. One Congress leader, who has studied in best institutions, served as a diplomat, was a Minister in Cabinet, he said Modi is &#39;Neech.&#39; This is insulting. This is nothing but a Mughalai Mindset: PM <a href="https://t.co/9IvKewDPMw">pic.twitter.com/9IvKewDPMw</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938722393953988608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Union Minister of Law and Justice, Ravi Shankar Prasad reacted by saying that Congress leader, Mani Shankar Aiyar&#39;s mindset is a &quot;darbaari&quot; one. &quot;He (Mr Aiyar) has called our PM &#39;neech&#39; but we are proud of our Prime Minister,&quot; Ravi Shankar Prasad noted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mani Shankar Aiyar has called our PM &#39;neech&#39; but we are proud of our Prime Minister, he has answered (Mani Shankar Aiyar) very politely &amp; sensibly. Aiyar&#39;s mindset is a &#39;darbaari&#39; one: Ravi Shankar Prasad <a href="https://t.co/XLc3T1Ryp3">pic.twitter.com/XLc3T1Ryp3</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938727256834240513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi further noted that &quot;the people of Gujarat will give a fitting answer to such deplorable language...&nbsp;They can call me &#39;Neech&#39;- Yes, I am from the poor section of society and will spend every moment of my life to work for the poor, Dalits, Tribals and OBC communities. They can keep their language, we will do our work,&quot; he noted while addressing the rally in Surat.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Yes, they called me &#39;Neech&#39; but our value systems are strong. We have nothing to say to such elements. Our answer will come through ballot box. We have seen enough insults from them. They insulted me when I was CM. They called me &#39;Maut Ka Saudagar&#39; &amp; wanted to jail me: PM Modi <a href="https://t.co/XNxyeTKBb7">pic.twitter.com/XNxyeTKBb7</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938724845763813376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>In the meanwhile Congress Vice President, Rahul Gandhi asked Mr Aiyar to apologise for his use of language against PM Modi.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BJP and PM routinely use filthy language to attack the Congress party. The Congress has a different culture and heritage. I do not appreciate the tone and language used by Mr Mani Shankar Aiyer to address the PM. Both the Congress and I expect him to apologise for what he said.</p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/938732839880687616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar had previously derided PM Modi calling him a tea seller who could never become the Prime Minister of the country.</p>

<p>Mani Shankar Aiyar finally retorted saying that &quot;Everyday PM is using foul language against our leaders. I am a freelance Congressi, I hold no post in the party, so I can reply to PM in his language,&quot; he told media today.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Why was PM taking a jibe at Congress and Rahul Gandhi at inauguration of a Centre on Baba Saheb Ambedkar? Everyday PM is using foul language against our leaders. I am a freelance Congressi, I hold no post in the party, so I can reply to PM in his language: Mani Shankar Aiyar <a href="https://t.co/SBqzIjyZsz">pic.twitter.com/SBqzIjyZsz</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938737033056370688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;I meant low level when I said &#39;neech&#39;, I think in English when I speak in Hindi as Hindi is not my mother tongue,&quot; clarified Aiyar.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I meant low level when I said &#39;neech&#39;, I think in English when I speak in Hindi as Hindi is not my mother tongue. So if it has some other meaning then I apologize: Mani Shankar Aiyar <a href="https://t.co/yf5tshB1Vt">pic.twitter.com/yf5tshB1Vt</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938737804854444032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Political leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav&nbsp;and Union Minister of Finance&nbsp;Arun Jaitley also reacted on the row.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It is not just a matter of filthy language but of Congress&#39; mindset which says that only one family can rule this country and if someone from the weaker section becomes PM then they call him &#39;chaiwala&#39; &amp; &#39;neech&#39;: Arun Jaitley <a href="https://t.co/cWtDZMx7Cb">pic.twitter.com/cWtDZMx7Cb</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938741097609568256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>In case you missed out on what was exactly said by Mr Aiyar, here&#39;s a look!</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: &quot;Ye aadmi bahut neech kisam ka aadmi hai, is mein koi sabhyata nahi hai, aur aise mauke par is kisam ki gandi rajniti karne ki kya avashyakta hai?: Congress&#39; Mani Shankar Aiyar on PM Modi <a href="https://t.co/sNXeo6a1Gi">pic.twitter.com/sNXeo6a1Gi</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938705515760123904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar had previously derided PM Modi calling him a tea seller who could never be Prime Minister

As the campaigning for the first phase of the Gujarat elections draws to an end, PM Narendra Modi conducted a rally in Surat earlier today. While addressing the local crowd here, PM Modi talked about Congress' failure as a governing party, "People did not get continuous electricity. When the BJP got to serve Gujarat we ensured continuous power. The demand for Surat was long pending and it is the BJP that has worked on this," he noted. PM Modi went on to talk about Congress' Mani Shankar Aiyar who had allegedly called him "neech". "Congress leaders are speaking in a language that is not acceptable in a democracy. One Congress leader, who has studied in best institutions, served as a diplomat, was a Minister in Cabinet, said Modi is 'Neech.' This is insulting. This is nothing but a Mughalai mindset," PM Modi exclaimed. Congress leaders are speaking in a language that is not acceptable in democracy. One Congress leader, who has studied in best institutions, served as a diplomat, was a Minister in Cabinet, he said Modi is 'Neech.' This is insulting. This is nothing but a Mughalai Mindset: PM pic.twitter.com/9IvKewDPMw — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017 × Union Minister of Law and Justice, Ravi Shankar Prasad reacted by saying that Congress leader, Mani Shankar Aiyar's mindset is a "darbaari" one. "He (Mr Aiyar) has called our PM 'neech' but we are proud of our Prime Minister," Ravi Shankar Prasad noted. Mani Shankar Aiyar has called our PM 'neech' but we are proud of our Prime Minister, he has answered (Mani Shankar Aiyar) very politely & sensibly. Aiyar's mindset is a 'darbaari' one: Ravi Shankar Prasad pic.twitter.com/XLc3T1Ryp3 — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017 × Prime Minister Narendra Modi further noted that "the people of Gujarat will give a fitting answer to such deplorable language... They can call me 'Neech'- Yes, I am from the poor section of society and will spend every moment of my life to work for the poor, Dalits, Tribals and OBC communities. They can keep their language, we will do our work," he noted while addressing the rally in Surat. Yes, they called me 'Neech' but our value systems are strong. We have nothing to say to such elements. Our answer will come through ballot box. We have seen enough insults from them. They insulted me when I was CM. They called me 'Maut Ka Saudagar' & wanted to jail me: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/XNxyeTKBb7 — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017 × In the meanwhile Congress Vice President, Rahul Gandhi asked Mr Aiyar to apologise for his use of language against PM Modi. BJP and PM routinely use filthy language to attack the Congress party. The Congress has a different culture and heritage. I do not appreciate the tone and language used by Mr Mani Shankar Aiyer to address the PM. Both the Congress and I expect him to apologise for what he said. — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 7, 2017 × Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar had previously derided PM Modi calling him a tea seller who could never become the Prime Minister of the country. Mani Shankar Aiyar finally retorted saying that "Everyday PM is using foul language against our leaders. I am a freelance Congressi, I hold no post in the party, so I can reply to PM in his language," he told media today. Why was PM taking a jibe at Congress and Rahul Gandhi at inauguration of a Centre on Baba Saheb Ambedkar? Everyday PM is using foul language against our leaders. I am a freelance Congressi, I hold no post in the party, so I can reply to PM in his language: Mani Shankar Aiyar pic.twitter.com/SBqzIjyZsz — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017 × "I meant low level when I said 'neech', I think in English when I speak in Hindi as Hindi is not my mother tongue," clarified Aiyar. I meant low level when I said 'neech', I think in English when I speak in Hindi as Hindi is not my mother tongue. So if it has some other meaning then I apologize: Mani Shankar Aiyar pic.twitter.com/yf5tshB1Vt — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017 × Political leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav and Union Minister of Finance Arun Jaitley also reacted on the row. It is not just a matter of filthy language but of Congress' mindset which says that only one family can rule this country and if someone from the weaker section becomes PM then they call him 'chaiwala' & 'neech': Arun Jaitley pic.twitter.com/cWtDZMx7Cb — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017 × In case you missed out on what was exactly said by Mr Aiyar, here's a look! #WATCH: "Ye aadmi bahut neech kisam ka aadmi hai, is mein koi sabhyata nahi hai, aur aise mauke par is kisam ki gandi rajniti karne ki kya avashyakta hai?: Congress' Mani Shankar Aiyar on PM Modi pic.twitter.com/sNXeo6a1Gi — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017 ×

'Neech' row: I can reply to PM in his language, says Mani Shankar Aiyar

<p><br />
&quot;I congratulate the Congress on their &#39;Aurangzeb Raj&#39;,&quot; Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Gujarat on Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;For us, the well being of the people matters and 125 crore Indians are our high command,&quot; he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi was campaigning in Valsad&#39;s Dharampur for the upcoming Gujarat elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-files-nomination-for-congress-president-amarinder-singh-says-will-make-very-good-prime-minister-25796" target="_blank">Rahul Gandhi files nomination for Congress president, Amarinder Singh says &#39;will make very good prime minister&#39;</a></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mani Shankar Aiyar said that &#39;did elections happen during Mughal rule? After Jehangir, Shahjahan came, was any election held? After Shahjahan it was understood Aurangzeb will be the leader&#39;. So Congress accepts its a family party? We don&#39;t want this Aurangzeb rule: PM Modi <a href="https://t.co/8gF08GiSRI">pic.twitter.com/8gF08GiSRI</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937580342973685760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Modi also referred to Rahul Gandhi&#39;s temple visits in Gujarat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Earlier, Congress would go out of the way to show their secularism but now we are all seeing what they are doing in this election, where they are going,&quot; Modi said. &nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Unfortunately for them, Muslims know their real nature,&quot; Modi added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also accused the Opposition of spreading &quot;disinformation&quot; against the BJP.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Disinformation like BJP does this and that against Muslims has been spread. This family party made it their main agenda to spread disinformation about BJP.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;But Gujarat people are not so naive, they have now become sensitive and aware to disinformation,&quot; Modi added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also said that the &quot;Congress cannot either tolerate or accept leaders from Gujarat&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;They have always defamed Gujarat,&quot; he added.&nbsp;</p>


'For us, the well being of the people matters and 125 crore Indians are our high command,' Modi added

"I congratulate the Congress on their 'Aurangzeb Raj'," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Gujarat on Monday. "For us, the well being of the people matters and 125 crore Indians are our high command," he added. Modi was campaigning in Valsad's Dharampur for the upcoming Gujarat elections. Also read: Rahul Gandhi files nomination for Congress president, Amarinder Singh says 'will make very good prime minister' Mani Shankar Aiyar said that 'did elections happen during Mughal rule? After Jehangir, Shahjahan came, was any election held? After Shahjahan it was understood Aurangzeb will be the leader'. So Congress accepts its a family party? We don't want this Aurangzeb rule: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/8gF08GiSRI — ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2017 × Modi also referred to Rahul Gandhi's temple visits in Gujarat. "Earlier, Congress would go out of the way to show their secularism but now we are all seeing what they are doing in this election, where they are going," Modi said. "Unfortunately for them, Muslims know their real nature," Modi added. He also accused the Opposition of spreading "disinformation" against the BJP. "Disinformation like BJP does this and that against Muslims has been spread. This family party made it their main agenda to spread disinformation about BJP." "But Gujarat people are not so naive, they have now become sensitive and aware to disinformation," Modi added. He also said that the "Congress cannot either tolerate or accept leaders from Gujarat". "They have always defamed Gujarat," he added.

I congratulate Congress on their 'Aurangzeb Raj': PM Modi in Gujarat

<p>After Jairam Ramesh spoke about <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/the-sultanate-has-gone-but-we-behave-as-if-we-are-sultans-still-jairam-ramesh-on-congress-party-18670" target="_blank">Congress party facing an &quot;existential crisis&quot;</a>, senior party leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has asked his fellow Congressmen to look at the reality.</p>

<p>&quot;Congressmen should look at the reality. We have only 44 MPs and faced serious setbacks,&quot; Aiyar told ANI.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congressmen should look at reality. We have only 44 MPs&amp; faced serious setbacks: Mani Shankar Aiyar on Jairam Ramesh&#39;s statement on Congress <a href="https://t.co/KuYNyubCFH">pic.twitter.com/KuYNyubCFH</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/895608639406223361">August 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>He also said that Ramesh is a true Congressman and what he said should not be ignored.</p>

<p>The former minister said if the party doesn&#39;t &quot;pay attention to different opinions and find out the solution then we cannot go forward&quot;.</p>

<p>On Monday, Jairam Ramesh asserted that the Congress is facing an existential crisis and a collective effort is required to overcome the challenges faced by the party.</p>

<p>Ramesh said that the party has to understand that it faces a&nbsp;challenge from Modi and Shah who think differently&nbsp;and if it isn&#39;t flexible in its approach it will become irrelevant.</p>

<p>He also&nbsp;said that old slogans don&#39;t work anymore as India has changed and the party needs to change. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Aiyar said that the party needs to look at the reality that it has just 44 members of parliament and faced serious setbacks

After Jairam Ramesh spoke about Congress party facing an "existential crisis", senior party leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has asked his fellow Congressmen to look at the reality. "Congressmen should look at the reality. We have only 44 MPs and faced serious setbacks," Aiyar told ANI. Congressmen should look at reality. We have only 44 MPs& faced serious setbacks: Mani Shankar Aiyar on Jairam Ramesh's statement on Congress pic.twitter.com/KuYNyubCFH — ANI (@ANI) August 10, 2017 × He also said that Ramesh is a true Congressman and what he said should not be ignored. The former minister said if the party doesn't "pay attention to different opinions and find out the solution then we cannot go forward". On Monday, Jairam Ramesh asserted that the Congress is facing an existential crisis and a collective effort is required to overcome the challenges faced by the party. Ramesh said that the party has to understand that it faces a challenge from Modi and Shah who think differently and if it isn't flexible in its approach it will become irrelevant. He also said that old slogans don't work anymore as India has changed and the party needs to change.

Another Congressman joins chorus, Mani Shankar Aiyar says party 'needs to look at reality'

<p>While taking a dig at Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh&#39;s remark on Kashmir, the Congress Party on Monday said that it is the pet dialogue of the ruling dispensation, adding that until it changes its &#39;Hindu rashtra&#39; mindset, the incumbent government would not be able to succeed at finding a solution to Kashmir.</p>

<p>Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar slammed the Centre for being unable to do anything for solving the &#39;Kashmir&#39; problem in the past three years.</p>

<p>&quot;I hope they do but I just cannot believe that they will be able to succeed because until fundamentally they change their mindset and not attempt to establish a &#39; Hindu rashtra&#39; by fair means or fowl, they cannot find a solution to Kashmir,&quot; Aiyar told ANI.</p>

<p>&quot;Certainly, nothing that they have done in the last three years gives any indication that they have any idea at all as to how to solve the problem. They certainly know how to aggravate it,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Raj Babbar also spoke on the same lines, mocking the government for only speaking but being unable to show the same in their actions.</p>

<p>Babbar further said that the Centre&#39;s foreign policy, security policy and policy towards Pakistan is a complete &quot;failure&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;They have two pet dialogues. One, this is age-old problem. They say this regarding everything, be it law and order, border policy, foreign policy etc. Second, this is condemnable and a befitting reply will be given soon. But, they have been unable to do anything in the past three years. At the time of demonetisation also, they said terrorism will end now. But gradually, terror activities started again,&quot; Babbar told ANI.</p>

<p>Assuring complete closure of the Kashmir issue on behalf of the government, Rajnath Singh yesterday made a strong statement that Kashmir, Kashmiris and Kashmiriyat belong to India.</p>

<p>&quot;We understand that Kashmir, Kashmiris and Kashmiriyat are ours. I assure you that we will come up with a permanent solution to end the issue,&quot; he said while addressing a gathering in Pelling, Sikkim.</p>

<p>In the hope of resolving the ongoing friction between India and Pakistan regarding territorial disputes in Kashmir, the Union Home Minister said it is time for Islamabad to mend its ways and come to a consensus on the issue, rather than prolonging the same.</p>

<p>&quot;Pakistan continues to carry out acts of violence in the name of Kashmir, just to destabilise us. It is time for Pakistan to end these and look into resolving the matter and extending cooperation,&quot; said Rajnath.</p>

<p>Developing on the importance of easing tensions along the border, Rajnath while drawing upon the reduction of border transgression with China, said Pakistan was invited to maintain friendly relations and not just bilateral ties.</p>

<p>&quot;There might be perceptional differences, but the border friction with China has declined now. Pakistan Prime Minister was invited to the oath-taking ceremony not just to join hands, but to be cordial hereafter,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>(ANI)</p>


'I hope they do but I just cannot believe that they will be able to succeed because until fundamentally they change their mindset,' Mani Shankar Aiyar said

While taking a dig at Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's remark on Kashmir, the Congress Party on Monday said that it is the pet dialogue of the ruling dispensation, adding that until it changes its 'Hindu rashtra' mindset, the incumbent government would not be able to succeed at finding a solution to Kashmir. Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar slammed the Centre for being unable to do anything for solving the 'Kashmir' problem in the past three years. "I hope they do but I just cannot believe that they will be able to succeed because until fundamentally they change their mindset and not attempt to establish a ' Hindu rashtra' by fair means or fowl, they cannot find a solution to Kashmir," Aiyar told ANI. "Certainly, nothing that they have done in the last three years gives any indication that they have any idea at all as to how to solve the problem. They certainly know how to aggravate it," he added. Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Raj Babbar also spoke on the same lines, mocking the government for only speaking but being unable to show the same in their actions. Babbar further said that the Centre's foreign policy, security policy and policy towards Pakistan is a complete "failure". "They have two pet dialogues. One, this is age-old problem. They say this regarding everything, be it law and order, border policy, foreign policy etc. Second, this is condemnable and a befitting reply will be given soon. But, they have been unable to do anything in the past three years. At the time of demonetisation also, they said terrorism will end now. But gradually, terror activities started again," Babbar told ANI. Assuring complete closure of the Kashmir issue on behalf of the government, Rajnath Singh yesterday made a strong statement that Kashmir, Kashmiris and Kashmiriyat belong to India. "We understand that Kashmir, Kashmiris and Kashmiriyat are ours. I assure you that we will come up with a permanent solution to end the issue," he said while addressing a gathering in Pelling, Sikkim. In the hope of resolving the ongoing friction between India and Pakistan regarding territorial disputes in Kashmir, the Union Home Minister said it is time for Islamabad to mend its ways and come to a consensus on the issue, rather than prolonging the same. "Pakistan continues to carry out acts of violence in the name of Kashmir, just to destabilise us. It is time for Pakistan to end these and look into resolving the matter and extending cooperation," said Rajnath. Developing on the importance of easing tensions along the border, Rajnath while drawing upon the reduction of border transgression with China, said Pakistan was invited to maintain friendly relations and not just bilateral ties. "There might be perceptional differences, but the border friction with China has declined now. Pakistan Prime Minister was invited to the oath-taking ceremony not just to join hands, but to be cordial hereafter," he said. (ANI)

'Will find solution to Kashmir' is pet BJP dialogue: Cong