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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.
Congress spokesperson RS Surjewala refuted Nirupam’s statement saying the Congress party completely backed the government’s surgical strikes on Pakistan.
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.
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.
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:
(With agency inputs)
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Published: 04 Oct 2016,03:41 PM IST