At bike rally, Amit Shah mentions IAF airstrikes, targets Opposition
BJP President Amit Shah on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Opposition alleging the parties of helping Pakistan with their statements. Shah was in Madhya Pradesh to green-flag the nationwide bike rally of BJP. Addressing a gathering, Shah slammed Opposition's joint statement which was released earlier this week after an all-party meet. He appreciated the tough decisions taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Backstory: Opposition parties had problems with BJP's politicization
IAF's airstrikes, which was a discreet operation executed on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, ended with the destruction of Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest camp in Pakistan. While all party leaders lauded IAF for doing the impossible, they weren't pleased with BJP's "politicization". 21 parties in a joint statement claimed BJP leaders were using the airstrikes for electoral gains while adding they stood with forces.
Pakistan was happy with RaGa's statement: Shah
Referring to the Opposition's stand on the sensitive matter, Shah said, "Rahul Gandhi and Mamata Banerjee of the Opposition, were the only ones who questioned whether the airstrike actually happened or not." He said the last four days were "heavy" on Pakistan but Rahul Gandhi, the Congress President, gave them a reason to be happy. Shah also welcomed Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman's return.
When will vote bank politics end, asks Shah
"Mamataji seeks to know if air strike was actually carried out. Akhilesh says there should be a probe into Pulwama terror attack...There should be a limit to vote bank politics," Shah added.
Shah said UPA didn't do anything after 26/11 attacks
Shah went on to say UPA under former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh didn't strike back after 26/11 Mumbai attacks. "Things have changed under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We gave a befitting reply to terrorists and their supporters after the attack at Uri army camp and also after Pulwama terror attack," Shah said. He said BJP's goal was national security, not elections.
Shah lists out reasons for voting for BJP
"An election must be held to ensure the security of the nation and to hit back and give a befitting reply to Pakistan that arrested our IAF pilot. It is only the Narendra Modi government that can do all of this," Shah said.
Earlier, RaGa said he stood by PM Modi after Pulwama
The Pulwama attack and subsequent airstrikes are being talked about by all politicians. In election season, the words would have a lasting impact. Contradicting BJP's claims, RaGa on Friday said his party stood by PM Modi after Pulwama. But PM Modi was busy with his "PR", RaGa said. He said he asked everyone to not criticize Centre after Pulwama, but PM Modi doesn't leave an opportunity to target Congress.
