Congress’s ‘media management’ has come under criticism on Twitter. This time, Indian Overseas Congress Chief Sam Pitroda is the one who has stirred a storm with his remarks on the Balakot air strikes. He asked for more facts to prove the number of casualties.
“If they (IAF) killed 300, it’s ok. I am saying can you give me more facts to prove it," Sam Pitroda told ANI. “I don't know much about attacks. It happens all the time. Attack happened in Mumbai also, we could have then reacted and just sent our planes but that is not the right approach. According to me, that's not how you deal with the world,” he went on to say.
He also added that it was not right to "punish" Pakistan because of a few terrorists. "Eight people (26/11 terrorists) come and do something, you don't jump on the entire nation (Pakistan). Naive to assume that just because some people came here and attacked, every citizen of that nation is to be blamed. I don't believe in that way," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the remark with a tweet. “130 crore Indians will not forgive or forget the Opposition for their antics,” he wrote with the #JantaMaafNahiKaregi.
Poor ‘Media Management’
Pitroda’s statement was seen by Twitter users as Congress shooting itself in the foot. Pitroda’s statement is “capable of making party’s wait for power that longer (sic)”, said one Twitter user.
Some described this as a ‘self goal’.
The statement has highly reduced Congress’ chances of winning, said some Twitter users.
Pitroda Pulling A Mani Shankar Aiyar?
Many Twitter users compared Sam Pitroda to senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar who, during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, made a controversial statement about Narendra Modi being a ‘chai-wala’.
But journalist Rohini Singh said Modi did not become PM in 2014 because Mani Aiyer called him a chai-wala, implying that Sam Pitroda’s comment will not swing votes.
Personal Opinion, Says Surjewala
Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted that “Modiji & BJP should stop using an individual’s personal opinion to spread venom!” allegedly responding to the backlash on Pitroda’s comment.
But Twitter users said that this cannot be seen like that because Pitroda was not being interviewed in his personal capacity.
The party president must at least condemn his views, said one.
Questioning the Death Toll
Some Twitter users said Rahul Gandhi should back his statement in a press conference. “Pakistani citizens can't be blamed for the acts of Jihadists. And India knows how to deal with both,” one Twitter user posted.
Not just Pitroda, half the nation is questioning the death toll in Balakot strikes, said another.
Rahul Gandhi not addressing the press conference that was initially scheduled at 10:15 am but was deferred to 2 pm on Friday, 22 March, was also criticised. “It seems Rahul Gandhi can’t wake up in the morning,” BJP tweeted.
Congress also had a cheeky response. Its official Twitter handle took a dig at Modi’s reluctance to give press conferences.
Jawans Killed To Increase Votes: Ram Gopal Yadav
Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav also sparked a row after he said Pulwama attack was a conspiracy.
“Paramilitary forces are very upset with this government. Jawans were killed to increase votes,” he said.
But SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav responded with a tweet that said the sacrifices of our Armed Forces should never be questioned. “To ask questions of politicians in a democracy is our fundamental right,” his tweet went on to say.
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