Like Godhra, Pulwama a BJP conspiracy, says ex-Gujarat CM Vaghela
On Wednesday, former Gujarat Chief Minister and NCP leader Shankersinh Vaghela said Pulwama terror attack was a conspiracy of BJP, just like the Godhra train burning incident of 2002. Vaghela said BJP government was using terrorism to win Lok Sabha polls. He also questioned Balakot airstrikes, which were conducted after the Pulwama attack, and said no one knows how many terrorists died. Here's more.
Godhra remains one of the darkest days of Gujarat's history
On February 27, 2002, Sabarmati Express, which was returning from Ayodhya to Gujarat was alighted near Godhra railway station. 59 people, mostly karsewaks, died in the carnage. 27 women and 10 children were also killed. The incident led to widespread communal riots in Gujarat, when Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister. Nearly 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, died in the violence.
Vehicle used in Pulwama bore Gujarat's initial: Vaghela
Drawing similarities between Godhra and Pulwama (in which 40 CRPF soldiers were martyred), Vaghela said, "The vehicle with RDX which was used in Pulwama attack was bearing the registration initial of Gujarat - GJ. Godhra was a conspiracy." He also called the operation, in which 12 IAF jets breached Pakistani space to bomb Jaish-e-Mohammed's camp in Balakot, a well-thought of conspiracy.
Vaghela questioned death toll in Balakot strikes
"No one was killed in Balakot air strike. Even none of the international agency was able to prove that 200 militants were killed. Balakot airstrike was a planned conspiracy. It was supposed to happen," the former Gujarat CM added.
Vaghela trained guns at BJP, held party responsible for Pulwama
Vaghela pointed out the glaring intelligence failure that led to Pulwama attack. He asked why no pre-emptive measures were taken. He also said that if the government had information about terror camps, then why was an operation not launched before Pulwama attack. "BJP is involved in the whole thing. It is going to bring the sectarian conflict to win elections," Vaghela said.
