After Pakistan questioned the credibility of surgical strikes, Congress leaders have added to the troubles of the Narendra Modi-led BJP government by taking it on for its excessive chest-thumping.
Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam, adding to the political slugfest, has questioned the BJP by saying that such “false” claims only benefit the BJP and not the nation.
However, Congress spokesperson RS Surjewala rebuked Nirupam for making such comments and said that the party took notice of his allegations against the government.
The Congress high command has maintained that the main opposition party is in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this crucial national security issue.
In a press conference, he said that questions will be raised on the surgical strikes until the government provides credible evidence.
I do not know if the strike happened. It’s for the government to answer this question... Congress conducted surgical strikes but never politicised the issue. Some sort of evidence has to be provided by BJP at this point of time to prove its claims.
Congress spokesperson RS Surjewala refuted Nirupam’s statement saying the Congress party completely backed the government’s surgical strikes on Pakistan.
We are proud that even in past our armed forces have conducted such surgical strikes. Never made loud claims when these kind of strikes were done in UPA regime. It is time that government of India unmasks Pakistan’s false propaganda by revealing and making public evidences we have so that it stands exposed not only to our country but the entire world. Pakistan continues to export terror. Stop politicising the death of Indian soldiers for myopic political gains.RS Surjewala, Congress Spokesperson
Senior leader P Chidmabaram on Monday said it was up to the government to give proof of the surgical strikes conducted in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
BJP Using Surgical Strikes For Political Benefits in UP: Capt Amarinder Singh
Punjab Congress Chief Captain Amarinder Singh had also taken on the BJP government for milking the news of the surgical strikes.
Questioning the evacuation of nearly 1,000 villages near the international border on the day Director General of Military Operations Lt Gen Ranbir Singh had briefed media on India attacking terror launch pads in PoK, Capt Amarinder accused the BJP-led government of creating war hysteria to suit its needs.
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked for de-escalation from both sides and even the army is not on alert, then why is there a need to evacuate villages in Punjab? The Bharatiya Janata Party wants to reap political benefits in the UP elections.Captain Amarinder Singh, Punjab Congress Chief
Congress leader Anand Sharma, making a more nuanced argument, refrained from questioning the veracity of the reports. However, he did not pass up he opportunity to corner the government for patting its own back in the wake of the operations by the Army.
The leader said that surgical strikes were carried out even during the UPA regime, but it is the first time that the government has taken “political ownership” of the military action.
Asked if this was the first surgical strike of such proportions, Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma said:
The thinking that this is the first time India Army has retaliated against a terror attack is not correct. It would be a disservice to our forces... Each situation is not similar. In the wisdom of the UPA, the political ownership of such actions of the army was not considered necessary.
(With agency inputs)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)