Goa Forward cautions BJP not to misuse soldiers' sacrifice for

Goa Forward party today cautioned the BJP against misusing sacrifices and courage of soldiers for political benefit, in wake of the state Assembly polls due next year.
"BJP should not misuse the sacrifices and courage of Indian soldiers for political benefit. The proposed felicitation of Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in Goa in the backdrop of surgical strike across LoC is in bad taste," Goa Forward spokesperson Durgadas Kamat said in a press statement released today.
Kamat was reacting to Goa BJP's decision to felicitate Parrikar on October 4 in Panaji for the surgical strike by the Army in which terror camps across LoC were destroyed.

"BJP Goa unit's decision to felicitate Parrikar on October 4for Army's action (surgical strike)is nothing but cheap publicity by the ruling BJP in the state," he said.
"For years now our soldiers have sacrificed their lives whether it is in Kashmir or other part of LoC. We never saw this trend in the past where a politician was felicitated for our soldiers' bravery," Kamat said.
He said it would be appreciable if the soldiers who fight for the country were felicitated by BJP rather than the politician.
"The soldiers are fighting for the country and not on behalf of any political party. By trying to take credit for their courage during upcoming election, BJP is insulting them. This move should be condemned by the entire nation," he said.

Parrikar is expected to address a gathering on October 4 at the historic Azad Maidan here, where he would be congratulated and felicitated for the achievements over the surgical strike, BJP Goa unit president Vinay Tendulkar said earlier today.