Anger spreads from Pakistan army to Antony

‘Defence ministry mentioned that the attack was carried by the Pakistani Army while the defence minister contradicted by saying that the attack was by the terrorists. I request the speaker to call the defence minister and ask him to apologise before the House. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh must respond. The government must accept that the attack was carried out by the Pakistani Army and give a response,’ said Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj.

 Antony, however, defended himself in the Rajya Sabha and said he can clarify only when he has more details about the incident. ‘When as defence minister I make a statement in Parliament, I have to clarify on whatever information I have. Today, Army chief has gone to the area, let him come back. If there are some other details, I will convey to you,’ said Antony. The defence minister also said there can be no compromise regarding the defence and protection of integrity of the country.

The Opposition did not seem to satisfied with the reply and during the meeting of BJP leaders with the prime minister in the evening, it is learnt that BJP leaders stressed that Antony’s statement would eventually help Pakistan, an accusation that they also made in Parliament. The BJP leaders also emphasised that the meeting between Manmohan Singh and Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the UN summit in New York should be avoided and advocated that such meetings can be held at the lower level.

BJP senior leader LK Advani, party president Rajnath Singh and leaders Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley were part of the delegation that met the prime minister. Apart from expressing their strong views, Advani earlier in the day had called parliamentary affairs minister Kamal Nath in the House apparently to express the party’s reservation over the alleged contradictory stands by Antony and the Army. BJP has already moved privilege motion against Antony in both Houses over his statement on killing of Indian soldiers. 

 Both Houses saw repeated disruptions over the issue and were later adjourned for the day.