No doubt in Indian Army, but need proof to counter Pak's propaganda: Kejriwal

Drawing flak from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for asking for proof of the surgical strikes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday clarified that he backed the ruling dispensation at the Centre and sought proof to counter Pakistan's false propaganda.

He said that the foreign media, influenced by Pakistan's false propaganda, is running news doubting the authenticity of surgical strike.

"I have only supported the Centre and congratulated and saluted the Indian Army in my video. I have only said that Pakistan is indulging in false propaganda claiming that surgical strike is farce. We all know that surgical strikes took place and we all believe that, but even in the foreign media, believing Pakistan's claim, is portraying the same be it, Washington Post, New York times, BBC, everybody is running the news that surgical strike did not happen," Kejriwal said.

He further accused Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravi Shankar Prasad of trying to politicise the issue.

Reiterating his support to the Prime Minister, Kejriwal said, "We are with the PM. We will stand by him but I am sad to hear such statements from Ravi Shankar Prasad ji. I am not doing politics. In fact, he is the one who is doing politics. We all have to set aside our differences and support the Prime Minister."

Earlier in the day, Prasad lashed out at Kejriwal for doubting the Indian Army's efficiency.

"I want to ask Arvind Kejriwal whether he believes in the extraordinary valour of our Army or not in conducting surgical strike? If yes, then why are you (Arvind Kejriwal) getting influenced by the false propaganda of Pakistan? Why is he swayed by alleged false propaganda asking proof to be given?"

He also criticisied Congress leader P. Chidambaram for joining the 'bandwagon' in doubting capacity of the Indian Army in conducting the surgical strike.