Surgical strikes a conspiracy by Modi to win elections: MP Minister

Surgical strikes were "conspiracies" hatched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to win elections, alleged Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister and Congress leader Govind Singh Kushwah on Tuesday.

He further claimed that the Prime Minister is trying to use the valour of the Indian army for political gains.

"Manmohan Singh's government had done 25 surgical strikes but they never promoted it to win the elections. Modi ji has been trying to use Surgical strike as a conspiracy to win elections. The party is also spoiling the image of the Army", he told ANI.

In the wake of the impending polls, the Election Commission had issued an advisory earlier this month asking political parties to refrain from using photographs of or referring to defence personnel for the purpose of poll campaigning.

Kushwah, the state Congress vice president, also came out in defence of Congress president Rahul Gandhi while attacking Union Minister Anantkumar Hegde for questioning the party chief's roots.

Hegde had asked how the son of a Muslim could become a Brahmin named Gandhi. In response to this, Singh said: "One must collect the DNA of Hegde ji's mother and father. Both the samples should be examined in the lab so we know which caste Hegde belongs to. Hegde should not have raised such questions."

Hegde, while slamming Rahul for asking for proof of the casualties inflicted following the February 26 air strike, had also asked what proof the Congress president had to prove he was a brahmin.

"Look what situation they have brought our country down to. The entire world is acknowledging our bravery. But some people within our own country have raised doubts. They want proof for our IAF's air strikes against Pakistan but how did the son of a Muslim become a brahmin named Gandhi? What proof do they have? He was born to a Muslim father and Christian mother. How does he become a brahmin?" Hegde had said.