Delhi CM: BJP playing politics over PoK strikes

Amid reports that he has become a “hero” in the Pa-kistan media for his comments on Monday, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday accused the BJP of playing politics over the anti-terror surgical strikes and said why the saffron party was “scared” when he had only asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to counter the false propaganda by the neighbouring state. The BJP which had earlier attacked Mr Kejriwal for his remarks “seeking proof” of the anti-terror surgical strike in PoK, has asked Mr Kejriwal not to belittle the armed forces by getting influenced by Pakistani “propaganda”.

Slamming Mr Kejriwal, Union minister Ravishankar Prasad pointed out that Mr Kejriwal’s remarks have given Pakistan a chance to question India Army’s claim and the Delhi CM was in Pakistani media headlines. Mr Prasad said the AAP leader should answer whether he believed in the Indian Army or not.

“It was most painful and unfortunate that the AAP leader was in Pakistani media headlines today as his remarks yesterday gave it a chance to question India Army’s claim... The question being asked in a way raises question over the action of Indian Army. I must say that. If Pakistani media is saying something, then why an India chief minister is being influenced and seeking proof... There cannot be more painful and unfortunate thing.”

The BJP also asserted that politics was different, but nothing should be said that demoralises the Army and makes it feel humiliated. Mr Prasad said India has been successful in isolating Pakistan politically and diplomatically, but Mr Kejriwal was being guided by Pakistani media reports. Mr Prasad also said that the government does not take seriously reports of “sponsored-media”, apparently referring to Pakistan Army’s decision to ferry reporters to the LoC to bolster its claim that no surgical strikes by the India Army occurred there. India, he said, had briefed ambassadors of many countries and they have taken note of the Indian Army’s operation.

Maintaining that AAP believes that surgical strikes did take place, Mr Kejriwal said that in his video message on Monday he had only appealed to the Prime Minister to give a befitting reply. “I have supported the Prime Minister, applauded the Army. I only said that Pakistan is spreading false propaganda in the world that surgical strikes did not happen. We all believe that surgical strikes took place,” Mr Kejriwal said on Tuesday.

“Pakistan is spreading the propaganda across the world and international media is running this that surgical strikes did not take place. I had only appealed to the PM that a befitting reply should be given to Pakistan. “If I said that we have to counter Pakistan’s false propaganda then why is the BJP so rattled and scared We all have to counter Pakistan’s propaganda and we should all, irrespective of the party, strengthen PM’s hands in this,” he said.