Shashi Tharoor (L) and Manoj Jha
Credit: PTI Photo
New Delhi: A social media post by BJP claiming credit for ‘Operation Sindoor’ by accusing the UPA government of not acting decisively against Pakistan and hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi attracted criticism with the Opposition on Saturday calling it “a petty attempt” aimed at dividing people.
Congress and RJD called the BJP claims “deplorable” at a time when the country is “unitedly” standing behind the government and the armed forces and asked the government to clarify whether it was “time for playing politics or giving a message of unity”.
Without referring to the post, CPI(M) warned the Election Commission that the BJP might “exploit” ‘Operation Sindoor’ for electoral gains.
Posting a video post on late Friday on 'X', the BJP said, “The message to the enemies is loud and clear. Don't mess with us! Unlike the UPA regime's passivity, New India has no patience for futile peace talks.”
The video referred to terror attacks that took place during the Congress-led UPA government and claimed it has changed under the government led by Modi.
The video also showed former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s image along with a text, “no retaliation, no lesson taught.” Along with Modi's image, the video then showed, “Then came Modi, no more talks, no more peace with a terror supporting nation.”
In another video posted on 'X' on Saturday, the BJP questioned discussions with Pakistan by the UPA government and claimed peace talks were a repeated script. "No more (peace talks). If not him, then who? No room for fear, only action." It also said no more peace talks with the terrorism supporting nation.
Congress Media and Publicity Department Chairman Pawan Khera said, “so do we have to do politics now? Is it time to do politics? Doesn't the government need the support of the opposition? Do we not have to give a message of unity now? The government and BJP should clarify.”
Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor asked the BJP to delete the post attacking the UPA government, as it is “neither appropriate nor mature”.
“At a time when the nation stands united as Indians, this petty attempt to divide us politically is deplorable. Our government has learned the futility of past approaches the hard way -- after inviting Pakistan to participate in the investigation of the Pathankot blasts in 2016. It is only then that it took to the path of military action, carefully calibrated and maturely conducted,” he said.
Senior RJD MP Manoj K Jha said the entire country, including all parties, are standing behind the Army and the government and urged the Prime Minister to intervene. He also warned that the BJP's social media post might be misused across the border.
"Not just political parties, but the whole country is united. We are going through a difficult phase. The BJP's social media post is painful. ...There is no difference of opinion in the country, everyone stands with the Army and the government...The post is distasteful. There will be a lot of time for politics later," he said.