Union Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday, 27 February slammed the Opposition for alleging that the government politicised anti-terror operations and said that the joint statement issued by parties was being used by Pakistan to bolster its narrative.
BJP & Its Leadership Require Real Introspection: Congress
Countering Jaitley, Congress chief Spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted, "Mr. Jaitley, It's BJP & its leadership who require real introspection. Entire opposition stood as one backing the armed forces & the Govt. Still, Amit Shah & entire BJP resorted to credit seeking for the sacrifice of our martyrs & indulged in blaming the Congress provocatively."
The 21 opposition parties after their meeting earlier in the day issued a joint statement expressing "deep anguish" over what they alleged was "blatant politicisation" of the sacrifices of armed forces.
They urged the government to take the nation into confidence on all measures to protect India's sovereignty, unity and integrity.
The statement said, "National security must transcend narrow political considerations... The leaders observed that the prime minister has, regrettably, not convened an all-party meeting as per established practice in our democracy."
“The meeting of leaders of 21 political parties condemned the dastardly Pulwama attack by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammed on 14 February 2019 and lauded the action taken by our armed forces,” Congress President Rahul Gandhi said after a meeting with the parties.
“Leaders condemned Pakistani misadventure and expressed deep concern for safety of our missing pilot. Leaders urged the government to take the nation into confidence on all measures to protect India's sovereignty, unity and integrity,” he added.
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh hoped that saner counsels shall prevail between the leadership of India and Pakistan and the two countries will get back to the task of economic development.
"I do hope that saner counsels will prevail between leadership of the two countries and we will get back to the economic development, which is the basic requirement of India and Pakistan," Singh said at an event in Delhi.
Sitaram Yechury too shared the statement on Twitter.
‘Pakistan Happy With the Joint Statement’: Javadekar
Union Minister and BJP leader Prakash Javadekar hit back at the Opposition for its joint statement.
Addressing a press conference, Javadekar said the allegations levelled by the Opposition were "baseless". He also said the joint statement was being used by Pakistani media to project that the Indian polity was not united in its fight against terror.
“Who is happy (with the joint statement)? Pakistan, its army and its media,” Javadekar said.
He said in such situations, parties should think how their remarks and statements are reflected and used to create a narrative.
He also showed a clip of a Pakistani news channel to drive home his point.
‘Pray for Captured Pilot’s Well-Being’
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi also took to Twitter to express concern over the pilot missing after the attack by Pakistan.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also took to Twitter to express concern over the missing pilot.
Samajwadi Party chief and former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh said that he prays “for the safe return of our brave pilot”.
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi said that “Article 3 of Geneva Conventions requires to treat prisoners humanely”.
Former J&K chief minister and NC leader Omar Abdullah said that the pilot should be treated well and PM Modi should immediately cancel all his political commitments.
PDP leader and former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti said that the best gesture Pakistan can show is to send the pilot back.
Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore too expressed concern for the pilot.
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