BJP slams Kejriwal, Chidambaram for seeking proof of army action

The ruling BJP on Tuesday attacked Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram for seeking proof of the surgical strikes by the Indian Army across the Indo-Pak border.

Addressing the media here, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that in such matters, the entire country and leaders across party lines are expected to speak in one voice, but Kejriwal's comments were "unfortunate and painful".

"Kejriwal ji has demanded that to negate the propaganda by the Pakistani media that no surgical strike took place, the government of India should give proof of it. I want to ask him whether he believes in the capabilities of the Indian Army or not," the minister said.

"If he believes in the army's capability, then how could he be affected by the false propaganda of Pakistani media and ask for the proof," Prasad asked.

Prasad also urged the Aam Aadmi Party leader to "keep politics aside, and don't do anything by which our armed forces could feel ashamed".

The minister also attacked Chidambaram and demanded to know if the former Finance Minister's comments were the official statement of the Congress party.

Chidambaram on Monday said it was up to the government to give proof of the surgical strikes conducted on September 28 night in which the army destroyed seven terror launch pads in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

"We would like to ask Sonia Gandhi ji if that is the official position of the Congress party on this issue. If that is the case, then we would examine it and have some questions to ask from them," Prasad said.

"If it is not the official line, then our request to Sonia ji is to rein in the leaders of her party who always want to remain in the limelight," he added.

Prasad said that India has successfully isolated Pakistan "diplomatically, strategically and internationally".

"Today Pakistan stands completely isolated... This is a victory of our diplomacy. Lekin Kejriwal ji ye sab nahi dekhte hain aur sawal uthate hain (But Kejriwal does not see all this and raises questions)," Prasad said.

He said that leaders should refrain from making comments which could "demoralise" the Indian armed forces.

--IANS

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