BJP chief Amit Shah on Saturday said that Congress party’s attempts to distance itself from Sam Pitroda remarks on anti-terror aerial strike at Balakot camps is not convincing at all and Rahul Gandhi must tender an apology to the country.
“Rahul Gandhi must answer some questions….He must tender apology. He also ought to clarify whether Congress party believes that Pakistan government and military have connection with terror attacks in India. If there is a connection then who is to be held guilty ?,” BJP chief Shah told reporters at party headquarters here.
The Congress president must also clarify whether it is his party’s official policy stand that whenever there is a terror attack, the Indian forces should not give a befitting reply through aerial strikes, he said.
“The Congress must also clarify that only through talks the issue of terrorism can be solved, whether it is part of Congress policy”, Mr Shah asked.
The pointed questions from BJP president came a day after Sam Pitroda – a known Rahul Gandhi loyalist and chief of Congress party’s Overseas wing – has said that he did not approve of the aerial strikes against Pakistan on February 26.
Mr Pitroda also went onto say that just because eight terrorists come and ‘do something’ — “you don’t jump on entire nation (Pakistan)”.
Mr Pitroda’s remarks had actually tried to justify the then UPA government’s decision not to undertake any aerial strike against Pakistan after 26/11 Mumbai terror strike in 2008.
Mr Shah maintained that Congress leaders are indulged in well thought of, planned and “orchestrated” statement on the issue of terror. “This is linked to Congress party’s well known appeasement politics. This they have been doing for decades now”.
On suggestions implied that Congress party and also several leaders had tried to ‘distance’ themselves from individual opinion of Mr Pitroda, he said, “such distancing strategy is not going to help. As you try to distance yourself from such orchestrated remarks, the people of this country have also decided to distance you (Congress party) from them”.
The BJP chief pointed out that if Congress party’s policy of ‘talks with Pakistan’ despite terror strikes including 26/11 of 2008 are to be considered, it is important to analyse – “what has been result in the ultimate analysis”.
“Congress president himself must issue a clear clarification on these,” Mr Shah said.
“The Congress party’s appeasement politics is well known……..we do not mind. But the politics of vote bank cannot be above national interest,” he said adding the remarks from leaders Sam Pitroda have only boosted the morale of forces “who want to harm India and discouraged those who have suffered”.
He ridiculed efforts being made to raise questions on the authenticity of the air strike and the statement made by top officials of Indian Air Force.
In contrast to such erroneous policies of the Congress party, BJP chief said the NDA government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been successful in dealing with the issue of terrorism by taking “firm steps on ground” and also has been able to “isolate Pakistan” in the comity of nations.
The Modi government has the highest record of eliminating terrorists, he said adding the ‘zero tolerance’ policy adopted by BJP has yielded positive outcome.
“It is the success of the government’s foreign policy that the entire world is today standing firm with India. Pakistan stands isolated,” the BJP chief said. (UNI)
