Operation Sindoor symbol of intel failure, foreign policy 'completely collapsed': Akhilesh slams Modi govt

New Delhi: Accusing BJP of trying to accrue "political gains" from Operation Sindoor, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday questioned the timing of the joint operation to target the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam terror attack and said the Modi government cannot get away by merely admitting to a lapse after such incidents.

Participating in a 'Special Discussion on India's Strong, Successful and Decisive Operation Sindoor in Response to the Terror Attack in Pahalgam' in Lok Sabha, the Kannauj MP claimed the launch of Operation Sindoor after Pahalgam attack is itself a symbol of the government's failure while insisting that India's foreign policy has "completely collapsed".

He also raised concerns about China, which he called a "monster" that will "gobble up our land and market".

Emphasising that all parties support the killing of terrorists involved in the Pahalgam terror strike, he suggested that the ruling BJP was trying to take political advantage of the Operation Mahadev, which was launched to target terrorists involved in Pahalgam attack.

"They (BJP) are asking why am I not thanking Operation Mahadev. When the question of supporting the government (on Operation Sindoor), all parties were with the government. In the end, why did the encounter take place yesterday (Monday)? Do you want me to repeat how Pulwama and Pahalgam happened?" he said.

"If they understand technology so well, why couldn't the vehicle carrying explosives before the Pulwama attack be seized? If the BJP truly wants to, it can identify that vehicle using satellite imagery...Why can't you gather strength for that? No party tried to take advantage of Pahalgam. You tried for political gains by attacking Congress and us," he said.

Yadav said they did not do politics but one should remember who said PoK would be taken back within six months and who said Aksai Chin would be taken back.

He also questioned the timing of ceasefire and said, "when the Army could have taught a lesson to Pakistan, then the ceasefire was announced. What was the reason? We thought that the government would announce a ceasefire, but the government has a very deep friendship. The government asked its friend (US President Donald Trump) to announce the ceasefire."

Yadav said there was an intelligence lapse in the Pahalgam attack and who would take responsibility for it. He also said during Operation Sindoor, no country stood by India and this was a "dark phase" for India’s foreign diplomacy.

"Our neighbouring nations are either attacking us or not supporting us. China is increasingly aggressive and poses as much of a threat as terrorism from Pakistan...Our threat is not from Pakistan. The bigger threat is China, which is capturing both our land and our economy," he added.