New Delhi [India], May 20 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sambit Patra, on Tuesday, criticised Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for repeatedly demanding proof on Operation Sindoor.
Patra said that Kharge's description of the operation as a "small war" and Gandhi's skepticism about the operation's outcome make them "poster boys" in Pakistan, even referencing terrorist Hafiz Saeed's supposed admiration for Gandhi.
While speaking with ANI, Patra said, "This is why Rahul Gandhi and his leaders have become poster boys in Pakistan. At the time of Operation Sindoor, Pak DGMO had shown your (Rahul Gandhi) videos...You do the work of giving oxygen to Pakistan. Today we all know why Hafiz (terrorist Hafiz Saeed) likes Rahul..."
This comes after Kharge, in a veiled jab at Operation Sindoor, said that the government is going 'chutput' (small) wars against Pakistan.
"Now, in these chhutput yuddha (small wars) that have taken place here and there, Pakistan has been downplaying India at all levels, particularly with tacit support from China," said Kharge while speaking at the Samarpane Sankalpa rally in Karnataka.
Patra accused them of downplaying the bravery of India's Armed Forces and giving "oxygen" to Pakistan.
"Congress party, Kharge ji is saying that Operation Sindoor is a small war...Are Rahul Gandhi and Kharge ji not able to understand that our Armed Forces entered Pakistan and struck nine terror sites there, and more than 100 terrorists were killed? After retaliation by Pakistan, their 11 airbases were destroyed, and today, Pakistan is crying in pain. And you are saying that Operation Sindoor was a small war. This is cheating the country and the bravery of the Armed Forces. Rahul Gandhi ji has been asking for proof for the last two days. We have been presenting digital proofs since day one. Pakistanis themselves have shown evidence. Despite this, you are asking for proof of the courage of the Armed Forces," said Patra.
Under Operation Sindoor, the armed forces launched targeted, precision strikes on terror bases in nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
The armed forces also hit back when Pakistan retaliated, destroying multiple airfields in Pakistan, following which Islamabad called for a ceasefire.
Earlier today, Congress leader Kharge had accused the Modi-led government of a security lapse which allegedly led to Pahalgam terror attack.
Mallikarjun Kharge said, "26 people were killed in Pahalgam because the Modi government did not provide security there. The centre did not provide police security or forces to tourists. Modi did not say anything about this. There were people going to Kashmir on the 17th, but Modi did not go to Kashmir, because his intelligence security told him not to go, as there would be chaos in Kashmir."
He alleged that the government's intelligence agencies had informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the security threat, but no action was taken to warn tourists. Kharge condemned the government's priorities, stating that the Prime Minister's security was prioritised over the lives of citizens.
"The Prime Minister was supposed to go to Kashmir on the 17th, but his intelligence agency had told him not to go and had cancelled his visit to Kashmir...," the Congress leader said, adding, "If the same had been said to the tourists through the police, 26 lives would have been saved. What is happening now... This small war would not have happened."