The BJP has taken strong exception to Rahul Gandhi's remark that the ruling party is politicising the sacrifice of army men in the wake of the deadly Uri attacks and India's retaliatory military raid on terror camps across the Line of Control. Party president Amit Shah today slammed the Congress vice president during a press briefing in the national capital, saying that he has insulted the armed forces.
"Rahul Gandhi has crossed all limits by his 'khoon ki dalali' remark, his words insult the bravery of army," Shah said. He said parties should not politicise the action of India's security forces.
"Is the blood of our soldiers something that you can trade," the BJP chief said.
"Just want to ask Rahul Gandhi, is dalali a word to refer Indian Army and their efforts to save the country."
Gandhi did not back down from his stance. He said he has "unequivocally" supported the military action but is against the use of army in political posters and propaganda by BJP.
"I fully support the surgical strikes and I have said so unequivocally, but I will not support using the Indian Army in political posters and propaganda all across the country," the Congress vice president said in a series of tweets.
"Jinhone Hindustan ke liye surgical strike kiye hain, unke khoon ke peeche aap chhupe hain. Unki aap dalali kar rahe ho. Yeh bilkul galat hai," Gandhi had said yesterday. Congress leader Digvijay Singh lashed out at the BJP leadership, alleging that they were touting the surgical strike on terror launchpads along the LoC as if they did it themselves instead of the army men.
Rahul had made the remarks yesterday while addressing a rally here, marking the culmination of his month-long 'Deoria to Delhi kisan yatra' in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh. (With PTI inputs)