New Delhi [India], May 4 : BJP MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat on Sunday criticised Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai over his 'nimbu mirchi on Rafale' remarks, saying that he should be ashamed of himself for questioning the Armed Forces of the country.
She also accused the Congress of repeatedly questioning the valour of the Armed Forces and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to national security.
Speaking to ANI, Sehrawat said, "This is not the first time when Congress and Opposition leaders have questioned the valour of the Armed forces and dedication of PM Narendra Modi towards citizens of the country. When surgical strike took place, more questions than those raised by Pakistan were raised in our country. Ajay Rai should be ashamed of himself that he is questioning Armed forces of the country."
Sehrawat added, "The Armed Forces are preparing with all their strength to give a reply to Pakistan. Replies are not given just by flying Rafale but through several ways,"
Earlier today, Rai criticised the central government's "big talk and no action" against perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack, saying that they purchased Rafale fighter jets but those are lying in hangars with "nimbu mirchi" (lemon and chillies) hanging on them.
Displaying a toy plane with Rafale written on it and with lemon-chillies hanging on it, Ajay Rai said, "Terrorist activities have increased in the country, and people are suffering from it. Our youth lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack... But, this government, which talks a lot, says that they will crush terrorists - they brought Rafale, but they are in their hangars having chilly and lemon hanging in them. When will they take action against terrorists, those who support them, and their backers?"
Hanging 'nimbu-mirchi' from vehicles is believed to ward off bad luck and the evil eye
BJP leader CR Kesavan condemned the "reprehensible" action by the Congress leader which he said was "trying to lower the morale and resolve of our armed forces."
"The Congress Party and its leaders are being disloyal to India and our people, and the Congress leaders are deliberately trying to defame and demoralise our brave armed forces. The deplorable statements by Ajay Rai, UP Congress chief, from where Rahul Gandhi is MP, are most condemnable. Congress leaders are reprehensible, repeated offenders who are repeatedly dishonourably trying to lower the morale and resolve of our armed forces. But the Congress party's sinister ploy will not be successful..." Kesavan said.
BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari also took to his X platform to post, "Rahul Gandhi's Close aide Ajay Rai mocks our forces! Congress today has become the Pakistani Congresss and the Spokesperson of Asif Munir's Pakistan in India!."
Terrorists shot and killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22.