Don’t use surgical strikes for political gains: Oppn to BJP

Opposition parties have spoken out against the attempt by the BJP to encash the issue of surgical strikes for political gains. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has also rejected BJP’s charge that he ever doubted the authenticity of the action by the armed forces but insisted that the Centre should call the ‘Pakistani bluff and false propaganda’.

Earlier on Tuesday, claiming that AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal had ‘sought proof’ of the anti-terror operation, the ruling BJP asked Delhi CM not to belittle the armed forces by getting influenced by Pakistani propaganda. Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, while addressing a press conference, said “My first and foremost question to Arvind Kejriwal is whether he believes in the extraordinary valour of our Army or not in undertaking this surgical strikes with enormous precision. Why he is swayed by alleged propaganda (by Pakistan)?”

Reacting to Prasad’s statement, Kejriwal said, “If I say we are with the government in combating terrorism and govt must give a befitting reply to Pak’s false propaganda, why is BJP frustrated?” Kejriwal on Monday had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “expose the false propaganda” being spread by Pakistan on the issue of last week’s surgical strikes across LoC.

The principal opposition Congress on Tuesday said that they have unequivocally supported the armed forces and the Central Government on the issue of surgical strikes against terrorists in Pakistan and they continue to do so. However, the party also asked the government to expose Pakistan’s propaganda before the international community. 

The statement issued by party leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said that the Congress government in its maturity never made “loud claim” for similar surgical strikes carried out by the Army in 2011, 2013 and 2014.

Meanwhile, JD(U) leader Pawan Verma said, “This (surgical strike) should not become a subject of internal politics.” Asked about the issue of releasing proof, Verma replied, “It is up to the government to release any information related to it when it considers it appropriate.”