Led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP on Friday lost no time in latching on to Congress’ Sam Pitroda’s remarks on the Balakot airstrike to target the entire Opposition terming it “the natural habitat of terror apologists” and accusing it of “insulting” Armed forces.
The Congress sought to undo the damage by attributing Pitroda’s remarks as his personal opinion even as Pitroda, the party’s overseas affairs head, stuck to his stance. Modi used the hashtag ‘Janta Maaf Nahi Karegi’ to target Congress and Pitroda who sought “more facts” on the Balakot airstrikes. The hashtag trended worldwide. The Prime Minister said Pitroda, Congress president’s “most trusted adviser and guide”, has kick-started the Pakistan National Day celebrations on behalf of his party, “ironically by demeaning India’s Armed forces”. Pakistan celebrates its National Day on March 23.
Taking on the Congress while reacting to Pitroda’s remarks, Modi posted tweets saying, “Loyal courtier of Congress’ royal dynasty admits what the nation already knew — Congress was unwilling to respond to forces of terror.
This is a New India - we will answer terrorists in a language they understand and with interest!”
Pitroda, a close aide to Congress president Rahul Gandhi, said he was “baffled” at Modi’s reaction to his question which he said he was entitled to ask. Pitroda, who has also worked with Rahul’s father late Rajiv Gandhi, asserted that he was not questioning the armed forces as being alleged by the Prime Minister. “I am just saying give me more facts,” the technocrat-turned-politician said.
But Modi, already in his full poll campaign gear, had by then already grabbed the opportunity provided by Pitroda.
BJP president Amit Shah and Union Minister Arun Jaitley also targeted the Congress with the former claiming that the Opposition’s heart beats for terrorists while his party’s beats for the Tiranga (national flag). Jaitley described Pitroda’s comments as “unfortunate” and “blessings for Pakistan”.
Jaitley said, “The security doctrine of India has changed now. We attack at the point of origin of terror now. This is now an ideological battle between those who want to defend India using all possible measures or those who want to fight for India with their hands tied behind their back.
“There is no country that has criticised the surgical strikes or the airstrikes conducted by India except for one nation, Pakistan. The fact that senior Congress leaders are speaking the same language is unfortunate and also hurts the sentiments of the country. To say that the Pulwama attack was self-engineered is a blessing for Pakistan’s narrative.”
With the BJP using the nationalism pitch to corner the Congress, the Opposition party distanced itself from Pitroda’s comments.
At a Press conference, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, “Whether it is Pitroda or any individual, such comments may be their personal opinion and the Congress has nothing to do with them.
He asserted that the Pulwama terror attack was a “grave national security failure” of the Modi Government while the Balakot airstrike was a shining example of the valour of the Indian Air Force.
“The truth is that Prime Minister Modi is hiding behind the valour and bravery of our Army and Air Force, and is playing politics on the opinion of an individual leader, which is his personal opinion and not of the party. He is playing such politics as he does not wish to reply on the charges of corruption against him and his Government,” Surjewala added.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav too joined issue saying sacrifices of the armed forces should never be questioned, but advised the Government “to stop pretending to be the Indian Army”. He also said that in a democracy it was the “fundamental right” of politicians to ask questions.
