Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the opposition parties of "helping Pakistan and harming India" on Friday with their statements and also slammed them for suspecting India's fight against terror. He also asked them to clarify whether they believe in "our armed forces or believe those forces who support terrorism on our soil?"
The Prime Minister was addressing a rally in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu and without naming any opposition leader, he said that it was sad that a few political parties "suspect our fight against terror".
Modi's comments come two days after 21 opposition parties met and put out a statement accusing the ruling BJP of "blatant politicisation of the sacrifices of armed forces". "National security must transcend narrow political considerations…," the parties said. "The leaders observed that the Prime Minister has, regrettably, not convened an all-party meeting as per established practice in our democracy."
"They are the same people whose statements are being happily quoted in the parliament of Pakistan and on Pakistan's radio," he admonished the political leaders casting aspersions on the authenticity of the air strikes. "I want to ask them: Do you support our armed forces or suspect them? Do they believe our armed forces or they believe those forces who support terrorism on our soil?"
He marvelled at how the entire nation had come together in support of the armed forces, however, was disappointed that cynics were driven by a political agenda. "Sadly, a few parties, guided by Modi hatred have started hating India. No wonder they suspect the armed forces. The world supports India's fight against terror, but a few parties suspect it," PM Modi said.
His message to these parties was: "Modi will come and go, India will remain. Please stop weakening India to strengthen your own politics. In matters of defence and national security, we are Indians first and Indian only."
Referring to the air strikes on Balakot, he stressed that the country will no longer be helpless in the face of terror. He pointed to the previous Congress government's ineffectiveness in handling situations that compromised national security. "26/11 happened, India expected action against terrorists but nothing happened," he pointed out, "But when Uri happened, you saw what our brave men did. Pulwama happened, and you saw what our brave men did. There was a time when news reports would read 'Air Force wanted to do a surgical strike, but UPA blocked it', but today we are in an era where the news reads that armed forces have full freedom to do what they want.This is an India which will return the damage done by terrorists, with interest."
