BJP, Congress hit out at each other
Our Correspondent
Political War over India’s surgical strikes against Pakistan escalated today with Congress hit back at BJP Chief Amit Shah. Briefing media in New Delhi, senior party leader Kapil Sibal criticised Mr Shah for pointing fingers on Congress’ legacy saying political mudslinging is harmful for democracy.
Mr Sibal further accused BJP of giving birth to Jaish-e- Mohammed. He said, terrorist Masood Azhar was released during previous NDA regime.
Mr Sibal said, his party never politicized the matter of surgical strikes and has fully supported the strikes. He said, there should be no politics over operations conducted by the Army. He alleged it is the BJP which is politicizing the issue.
Earlier BJP president Amit Shah slammed Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on surgical strikes conducted by the Indian Army. Mr Shah said Mr Gandhi has crossed all limits and has insulted the Army.
Addressing media in New Delhi this afternoon, Mr Shah asked Congress President Sonia Gandhi to clarify comments made by Rahul Gandhi whether she agree with him or not.
Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi had accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of doing politics on the sacrifice of jawans.
The BJP President also condemned the politics on India’s surgical strikes saying it demeans Army’s success. Mr Shah said some parties are raising doubts regarding the surgical strikes even as government tried to keep the matter away from politics.
He emphasised that the press conference on the surgical strikes was addressed by Army DGMO, and not by the Defence Minister. He said the whole nation, government and BJP support Indian Army and believe in army’s prowess, not politicians’ statements.
Mr Shah congratulated the media for the role it has played in boosting the morale of the armed forces after the surgical strikes. He said Pakistan is a haven for terrorists and terrorism.
The Congress has also said that BJP President Amit Shah should apologise to the nation for his alleged remarks that the Indian Army has shown its courage to cross the LoC in conducting surgical strikes for the first time.
Reacting to his remarks, party spokesperson, Randeep Singh Surjewala accused Mr Shah of insulting the Army by making such remarks. Mr Surjewala said, his party never played politics on the valour and sacrifice of Armed Forces personnel.
The BJP has taken strong exception to the Congress leader Kapil Sibal remarks against the party President Amit Shah. Briefing reporters in New Delhi, Union Minister and senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said,the language used by Mr Sibal is shameful and regrettable.
Responding to Sibal’s allegation, Mr Prasad said the court has quashed the case against Mr Shah and no charge was framed. Stongly criticizing the Congress leader of levelling allegation against the BJP as the creator of Jaish-e- Mohammed, Mr Ravi Shankar Prasad said, the allegations are baseless and shameful.
Mr Prasad said, he can not imagine that the Congress will stoop such a low in defending its Vice President Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on surgical strikes. He alleged, the loyalty of Mr Sibal to Mr Gandhi is more important for him than patriotism.