BJP, Cong in war of words over Rahul’s dalali barb

The Congress came out all guns blazing at BJP chief Amit Shah on Friday for condemning Rahul Gandhi, accusing the ruling party of using the army’s strikes against militant bases for political gains.

At a press conference in Delhi, the Congress attacked Shah for saying that Gandhi had crossed all limits and insulted the army. Shah earlier on Friday at a media briefing condemned Gandhi, who had said at a rally on Thursday that the BJP was profiteering from the blood of soldiers. 

“Rahul Gandhi has crossed all limits. His remarks are an insult not only to the brave armed forces and martyrs but the entire country,” Shah said.

“Is the blood of our soldiers something that you can trade,” the BJP chief asked on Friday. “Just want to ask Rahul Gandhi, is dalali a word to refer Indian Army and their efforts to save the country,” he added.

Reacting to Shah’s statement, senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal said, “Those who have murder charges against them, those who have been in jail, those are now trying to find faults in Rahul Gandhi.”

“Stop putting up these posters claiming credit – it was the Indian Army who should be hailed; stop this politics,” said Sibal.

Shah had earlier accused Gandhi of insulting  Army jawans. Taking a dig at the Congress party, Shah said that the comment from party’s vice-president clearly reflected the mindset of the Congress party. “Those who have questioned the government over the surgical strikes have not only insulted the Army but also the jawans who have lost their lives,” Shah added.

But the Congress hit back, blaming the BJP for the spurt in militancy and pointing out that a BJP government had released Maulana Masood Azhar during the Kandahar hijack in 1999. Azhar went on to launch the terror group, Jaish-e-Mohammed. “You gave birth to Jaish-e-Mohammed and then you level allegations on the Congress. They released Masood Azhar,” Sibal said.

Responding to a question on some BJP leaders creating a hype on the strikes, Shah told reporters that some workers were only expressing their excitement and questioned why there was no such excitement in the Congress leadership. The BJP chief urged all parties not to politicise the issue but said it would take the issue to the masses to build up the confidence of the armed forces.