Oppn, Centre at odds over PM’s poll event
NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi’s interaction with booth-level party workers on Thursday left many Opposition parties angry, with leaders saying it was badly timed given the on-going standoff with Pakistan following an air strike by India on a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp in that country and a subsequent incursion by Pakistani jets that was repulsed. Congress’s chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged that the PM was “hell bent on creating a video-conference record” when the entire country was praying for the return of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.
NEWDELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s interaction with party workers left many opposition parties angry, with leaders saying it was badly timed given the stand-off with Pakistan following an air strike by India on a Jaish-eMohammed camp and a subsequent incursion by Pakistani jets that was repulsed. An Indian pilot was also captured, although later on Thursday, Pakistan PM Imran Khan said the pilot will be released as a a goodwill gesture. Opposition parties said that, given this, the PM has “misplaced priorities” and is “desperate” only for getting re-elected.
The Congress accused BJP leaders of politicising the bravery of the armed forces, while referring to former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa’s comment that India’s “pre-emptive strike” in Pakistan will help his party win over 22 out of 28 Lok Sabha seats in the southern state.
“Glaring case of misplaced priorities! 132 Cr Indians pray for safe & immediate return of India’s brave-heart Wing Comm, Abhinandan but Modiji desperate only for re-election. Congress cancelled its imp CWC & Rally today. Pradhan Sevak hell-bent on creating a Video Conf. record!” Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala tweeted.
A BJP leader, who refused to be named, said the PM already gave the message that the country should move forward.
THE CONGRESS ACCUSED BJP LEADERS OF POLITICISING THE BRAVERY OF THE ARMED FORCES, WHILE REFERRING TO FORMER KARNATAKA CHIEF MINISTER BS YEDDYURAPPA’S COMMENT