PM, BJP use Pitroda's remarks on Balakot strike: Pushes hashtag '#JantaMaafNahiKaregi'

New Delhi, Mar 22 (UNI) In the run up to the general elections, the ruling BJP and its top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday made optimum use of Congress leader Sam Pitroda's controversial remarks on aerial strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and said the episode clearly distinguishes the 'difference' between the opposition and the ruling dispensation.  

Pushing the hashtag  '#JantaMaafNahiKaregi' - 'people will not forgive', Mr Modi tweeted: "Opposition insults our forces time and again. I appeal to my fellow Indians - question Opposition leaders on their statements. Tell them - 130 crore Indians will not forgive or forget the Opposition for their antics.
"India stands firmly with our forces," he said.
''Difference between Opposition and BJP is clear. They suspect our Army, we are proud of our
Army," BJP chief Amit Shah tweeted.
As Prime Minister himself pushed the hashtag 'Janta Maaf Nahi Karegi' on Twitter - it was soon joined by several party leaders and Union Ministers.

Mr Modi lashed out at Congress for what he said 'kick starting' the Pakistan National Day celebrations for questioning Balakot anti-terror aerial strike and called it a 'shame'.

"The most trusted advisor and guide of the Congress President has kick-started the Pakistan National Day celebrations on behalf of ironically by demeaning India’s armed forces. Shame!," Prime Minister tweeted taking cognizance of the comments from Sam Pitroda, a known Rahul Gandhi loyalist.

Mr Pitroda's incidentally came on a day the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi hosted a reception in connection of Pakistan National Day. The government officially boycotted it saying it was in protest against invitation sent to separatist Hurriyat leaders.

Sam Pitroda, Indian Overseas Congress Chief, has questioned Indian Air Force actions on February 26 and said just because eight terrorists come and 'do something' --- "you don’t jump on entire nation (Pakistan)".

This was to imply his endorsement to UPA regime's refusal to conduct such strikes after 2008 Mumbai siege.

Mr Pitroda also had worked closely with the Late Rajiv Gandhi and BJP leaders like Arun Jaitley - thus - went on to describe him as 'Guru' of Congress president.

Mr Jaitley, however, was more than sarcastic. "Agar Guru aisa ho aur unke vichar aisa ho, toh shishya kitna Nikamma niklega aaj yeh desh ko bhukatna par raha hae (If Guru is like that, the disciple can be only a worthless one and the country is suffering this situation today)," Mr Jaitley told reporters in presence former cricketer Gautam Gambhir, who joined the saffron party here.

Prime Minister also has taken exception to remarks by Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav.

"Opposition is the natural habitat of terror apologists and questioners of our armed forces. This reprehensible statement by a senior leader like Ram Gopal Ji insults all those who have given their lives in protecting Kashmir. It humiliates the families of our martyrs," Mr Modi wrote.

Union Minister Smriti Irani tweeted: "Now the Nation knows why Rahul Gandhi and UPA chose not to respond with the full might of India post 26/11. Congress sympathies with Pakistan stand exposed".

In his missive, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal wrote: "Once again Congress speaks the language of terror apologists. Time and again, they betray our jawans and insult the memories of our martyrs".
Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu was also unsparing as he wrote: "Despite all that our forces do for our country, the opposition insults them by commencing the Pakistani National Day celebrations. 130 crore citizens of India will not let this go unnoticed".
Mr Jaitley further said Mr Pitroda's remarks reflect the fact that the Congress party is out of touch from the sentiments of the armed forces and the people of the country.
"Even Organisation of Islamic Countries have not said the aerial strike was wrong.....," he said adding the fight against terror has now emerged as an 'ideological battle' between those who want to defend India through all instruments and strategies and those who want to fight terrorism "with kid gloves and their hands tied behind them".

IF GURU IS LIKE PITRODA, DISCIPLE CAN BE ONLY A 'NIKKAMMA': JAITLEY

Taking note of Pitroda remarks Jaitley makes 'Nikkamma' jibe on Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi, Mar 22 (UNI) Taking strong exception to Congress President Rahul Gandhi's close associate Sam Pitroda's remarks questioning anti-terror strike by Air Force at Balakot in Pakistan, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday blasted the Opposition party.


"Agar Guru aisa ho aur unke vichar aisa ho, toh shishya kitna Nikamma niklega aaj yeh desh ko bhukatna par raha hae (If Guru is like that, the disciple can be only a worthless one and the country is suffering this situation today)," Mr Jaitley told reporters in presence of Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and cricketer Gautam Gambhir, who joined the saffron party here.

"It is very unfortunate statement for India that somebody regarded as the ideologue for Congress party has said so," Mr Jaitley said answering questions.

Sam Pitroda, Indian Overseas Congress Chief, has questioned Indian Air Force actions on February 26 and said just because eight terrorists come and 'do something' --- "you don’t jump on entire nation (Pakistan)".

Mr Pitroda had tried to justify the then UPA government's decision not to undertake any aerial strike against Pakistan after 26/11 Mumbai terror strike in 2008.

"Such people have no connect with India's security requirements...The pain that we have suffered in last three decades due to terrorism," the Finance Minister said.

"Our security doctrine has evolved," said Mr Jaitley, who is also a member of the Cabinet Committee on Security.

He said - "We were earlier only defending ourselves when the terrorists came within the country. Today it has evolved that we go to the point of origin of terror and make a pre-emptive strike because that terror is aimed against us".

He further said Mr Pitroda's remarks reflect the fact that the Congress party is out of touch from the sentiments of the armed forces and the people of the country. The Opposition party also has not bothered to note that every country has "supported us" during the Surgical strike of 2016 and also the air strikes on Balakot camps.

He said the fight against terror has now emerged as an 'ideological battle' between those who want to defend India through all instruments and strategies at its command and those who want to fight terrorism "with kid gloves and their hands tied behind them".

"If the tutor has these views (like Pitroda), then the student I think will do what the present student is doing," said Mr Jaitley, who also held Defence portfolio for sometime under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"This is not the first time that a senior leader of Congress party has made such a statement. Repeatedly such statements have been made....Mr Pitroda will be very high on his TRPs in Pakistan TV today," he said adding - "I am equally sure the level of revulsion against his statement in India will also be very high".

Speaking on the occasion, former cricket star Gautam Gambhir, who joined the saffron party on Friday, said he 'echoes' and endorses what Mr Jaitley has said.

"....I echo what sir (Jaitley) has said. I totally endorse that statement," Mr Gambhir said.

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