BJP MLA decries ex-UP minister's doubt over IAF strikes at Balakot terror camp

With a former UP minister and SP leader terming India's air strikes at JeM's Balakot terror camp in Pakistan as "false", BJP MLA Prateek Bhushan Singh Wednesday dubbed his claim as an act of "foolishness" and asked SP president Akhilesh Yadav to rein him in.

"This statement is an act of foolishness. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav should explain how his party leader, who was also a minister in his Cabinet is making such claims aimed at maligning the country's image," Singh, an MLA from Gonda Sadar seat told PTI.

SP leader Vinod Kumar alias Pandit Singh had doubted the veracity of India's air strikes Tuesday.

"BJP leaders are liars. Is the surgical strike anything new? TV channels were airing it today. This (that an air strike will happen) was known for 10 days," Singh had told party workers at a programme in Gonda.

"It was known for five days that they (the government) have colluded with Pakistan and decided to drop a couple of bombs on an abandoned house. And then issue a statement (to the media)," he claimed, adding the air strike was "false".

The SP leader also accused the BJP of "spreading terror".

"By forming government in Jammu and Kashmir with Mehbooba Mufti, they proved that they have no hesitation in joining hands with those who supported terrorism," Singh said.

Attacking the SP leader, the BJP MLA said, "The way he is making such statement has certainly not gone down well in the district. This is a matter of nationalism."