PM slams Pitroda for doubting IAF’s Balakot airstrikes

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader and Gandhi family confidante Sam Pitroda stepped into a huge political row on Friday when he sought “more facts” from the government on last month’s airstrikes in Pakistan’s Balakot. The ruling BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were quick to slam the Congress leader for his remarks, saying they reflect the Congress’ unwillingness to respond to forces of terror.

Leading the BJP charge, Mr Modi said Mr Pitroda, Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s “most trusted adviser and guide”, has kick-started the Pakistan National Day celebrations on behalf of his party, “ironically by demeaning India’s armed forces”.

Posting a series of tweets using the hashtag “Janta maaf nahi karegi” (people will not forgive), the PM said on the eve of Pakistan’s National Day, “Loyal courtier of Congress’ royal dynasty admits what the nation already knew — Congress was unwilling to respond to forces of terror. This is a New India — we will answer terrorists in a language they understand and with interest!”

In an apparent reference to Pulwama terror attack, Mr Pitroda had said that attacks happen all the time and then referred to the Mumbai terror strikes in 2008 when the Congress-led UPA was in power, saying the then government could have sent its planes but that is “not the right approach”.

He also sought more facts from the Modi government on Balakot airstrikes last month while referring to international media reports questioning claims that over 300 terrorists were killed in the IAF action.

Facing criticism from Mr Modi, Mr Pitroda, chief of Indian Overseas Congress, said that he was baffled by the Prime Minister’s reaction to his question related to airstrikes.

“All I said is, can we get more facts, that’s all. I don’t know why this whole confusion... In democracy you are entitled to ask a question. It is good to have a debate, discussion, dialogue, discourse,” he said.

The Congress leader said that he was neither questioning the armed forces as being alleged by the BJP and the Prime Minister nor the government. “I am just saying give me more facts,” said Mr Pitroda.

With the BJP using the nationalism pitch to corner the Congress, the Opposition party distanced itself from Mr Pitroda’s comments.

At a press conference, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, “Whether it is Mr Pitroda or any individual, such comments may be their personal opinion and the Congress has nothing to do with them.”

He asserted that the Pulwama terror attack was a “grave national security failure” of the Modi government while the Balakot airstrike was a shining example of the valour of the Indian Air Force.

BJP chief Amit Shah and finance minister Amit Shah also slammed Mr Pitroda for his remarks.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley trained his guns on Mr Pitroda saying, “There is no country that has criticised the surgical strikes or the airstrikes conducted by India except for one nation, Pakistan. The fact that senior Congress leaders are speaking the same language is unfortunate and also hurts the sentiments of the country. To say that the Pulwama attack was self-engineered is a blessing for Pakistan’s narrative,” he said.

BJP president Amit Shah said the difference between the Opposition and the BJP is clear. “They suspect our Army, we are proud of our Army. Theirheart beats for terrorists, ours beats for the tiranga. This election, through the power of your vote, do a surgical strike on the Congress culture,” he said.