Arvind Kejriwal slams Rahul Gandhi for his ‘dalaali’ remark

Following severe criticism over his video recorded message on the surgical strikes, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday took on Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for his controversial “dalaali” remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging political parties to set aside their differences and rally behind the latter. The Aam Aadmi Party is also said to have decided not to criticise Mr Modi’s anti-terror policies against Pakistan. The party will also be sending its volunteers to border areas of Punjab to send across a clear message that it stood behind the Centre in its resolve to handle terrorism in the country.

Mr Kejriwal, who courted controversies over his remarks on surgical strikes, said on Friday that the armed forces were to be credited for valiantly carrying out the operation and demolishing terror launchpads across the LoC and that there should not be any politics over this issue. “Our soldiers valiantly carried out surgical strikes and demolished terror addresses. I have previously done so and want to congratulate the Army once again for this. I strongly criticise Rahul Gandhi’s remarks wherein he said Army’s sacrifices and bravery was khoon ki dalaali.”

“I condemn the use of such words. I have told in the House as well as in a video message that right now there is tension at the border. The entire country should stand behind the Army keeping aside political differences and support the Prime Minister’s steps pertaining to security. There should not be any politics over this issue,” Mr Kejriwal said.

Soon after he was criticised for his video statement, Mr Kejriwal is said to decided not to criticise the Prime Minister and extend his full support to his anti-terror policy against the neighbouring country. This decision was reportedly taken by the AAP at its Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting on Wednesday which among others was attended by Mr Kejriwal, labour minister Gopal Rai and senior leaders Sanjay Singh and Kumar Vishwas. The meeting was reportedly called to assess the damage caused to the party after the release of the CM’s video and its possible impact on next year’s Assembly polls in Punjab. Reports suggest that deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and Mr Singh have been told to do the damage control to ensure party’s image was not further tarnished.

Now, the AAP has started working on a two-pronged strategy — one to extend support to theModi government on Pakistan policy and second to reach out to villages, especially in the border areas, through its volunteers to spread the message that the party firmly stands behind the Centre and will extend full support to its anti-terror stand.