Opposition slams Amit Shah for politicising air strikes

Congress on Monday hit out at BJP President Amit Shah for politicising the Balakot air strikes by claiming that 250 terrorists were killed in the IAF action.

Shah was the first political leader to put a number on the casualties at a time when the armed forces have remained mum on the number of terrorists killed in the air strikes.

On Saturday, Union Minister S S Ahluwalia had claimed that the air strikes were aimed at sending a message to Pakistan that India can enter its territory, identify and destroy targets. Ahluwalia had claimed that the air strikes were not intended to inflict human casualties.

“Who is speaking the truth Amit Shah or Ahluwalia? Where is this number coming from and who is politicizing this whole incident,” Congress spokesperson R P N Singh told reporters here.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Trinamool leader Derek O'Brien, BSP supremo Mayawati also hit out at the BJP for politicising the air strikes.

“Amit Shah is saying that the armed forces are lying, 250 (terrorists) were killed. Amit Shah is calling the armed forces a liar. The country will not tolerate this under any circumstances,” Kejriwal said.

O’Brien accused Shah and Modi of sending the soldiers to die without a plan. “Is your purpose only to win the election,” he asked.

Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal also said that if Amit Shah was claiming 250 casualties in the air strike, why was the prime minister not providing details of it.

Congress sources admitted that the Balakot air strikes had given the BJP the upper hand ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and opposition parties were watching how the narrative pans out once the elections are declared.

“A big challenge before the BJP is to maintain the momentum till the votes are cast,” a senior opposition leader said adding that they were forced to redraw their communication strategies to counter the BJP.