Hours after former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh claimed that the Narendra Modi government had not given any proof of the 2019 ‘surgical strike’ in response to the Pulwama terror attack, the Congress party on Monday distanced itself from a comment on the matter.
“The views expressed by senior leader Digvijaya Singh are his own and do not reflect the position of Congress,” Congress communication chief Jairam Ramesh said in a tweet.
“Surgical strikes were carried out before 2014 by UPA government. Congress has supported and will continue to support all military actions that are in the national interest,” he added.
The Congress’s statement came after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused Mr. Singh and former party chief Rahul Gandhi of casting aspersions on the valour of the armed forces.
Also read: Congress has no patriotism left, says BJP after Digvijay’s comment on surgical strikes
Earlier in the day, while speaking at a public event in Jammu where the Bharat Jodo Yatra is currently passing through, Mr. Singh questioned the Modi government’s claims.
“Pulwama has been a terrorism hotspot and every car is checked. [But when] a Scorpio car came from the wrong side, why was there no checking? Then there is a collision and 40 of our jawans are killed. To date, the government has not given information about the incident in Parliament or in public,” said Mr. Singh.
“They [the government] claimed a surgical strike was carried out but didn’t show any proof. They just keep weaving a web of lies,” the Congress leader added.
Subsequently, Mr. Singh also posted a video on his Twitter handle, posing a few questions.
The veteran Congress leader asked how did the terrorists get their hands on 300 kg RDX and why was a case of treason not filed against the then Deputy Superintendent of Police of Pulwama, Davinder Singh, who was later arrested while ferrying militants.
“Where is he now? Why was he let off and why was a case of treason not filed against him? Along with it, I would like to know what is the relationship between between our Prime Minister and his Pakistani counterpart?” Mr. Singh asked in the video.
Published - January 23, 2023 06:24 pm IST
