Pakistan using your 'ill-advised statement to bolster its case': Arun Jaitley to Opposition

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, on Wednesday, appealed all opposition parties to let the country speak in one voice and also asked them to introspect. “My appeal to India’s opposition - “Let the country speak in one voice”. Please introspect - “Your ill-advised statement is being used by Pakistan to bolster its case,” he tweeted.

“Cross border terror attack in Pulwama was a reality. Balakot Operation was India’s anti- terror preemptive strike to defend its sovereignty. Whole nation has spoken in one voice. Why, then is India’s opposition alleging that Govt is politicising our anti-terror Ops,” he added.

Congress national spokesperson, Randeep Surjewala also took to Twitter and responded to Arun Jaitley. He wrote," Mr. Jaitley, It’s BJP & its leadership who require real introspection. Entire opposition stood as one backing the armed forces & the Govt. Still, Amit Shah & entire BJP resorted to credit-seeking for the sacrifice of our martyrs & indulged in blaming the Congress provocatively." 

The ruling BJP on Wednesday launched a scathing attack against opposition parties for its joint statement that it was politicising the sacrifices of armed forces, saying the allegations were "baseless" and such remarks are being used by the Pakistani media to show that Indian parties are not united in the fight against terror.

Addressing a press conference, Union minister and BJP leader Prakash Javadekar said the allegations levelled by the opposition are "baseless". He also said the joint statement was being used by Pakistani media to project that the Indian polity was not united in its fight against terror."Who is happy (with the joint statement)? Pakistan, its army and its media," Javadekar said. He said in such situations, parties should think how their remarks and statements are reflected and used to create a narrative.

He also showed a clip of a Pakistani news channel to drive home his point.  Twenty-one opposition parties Wednesday expressed anguish over what they alleged was "blatant politicisation" of the sacrifices of armed forces and urged the government to take the nation into confidence on all measures to protect India's sovereignty, unity, and integrity.

After a meeting, which lasted over three hours, in the Parliament Library, the leaders of these parties issued a joint statement, expressing concern over the prevailing security situation in the country.

"Anguished over blatant politicisation of sacrifices of armed forces by the ruling party. Urge the government to take the nation into confidence on all measures to protect India's sovereignty, unity, integrity."National security must transcend narrow political consideration," the joint statement said.