Congress slams BJP for releasing surgical strike video for 'political gains', BJP hits back

'It was soldiers who sacrificed their lives and it is Modi ji who is being glorified' says Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala

New Delhi: The Congress party today vehemently criticised the release of the surgical strike video by the BJP, slamming the party for ‘misusing’ the video for their political gains. BJP responded to the criticisms by arguing that it was Congress which first demanded the proof of surgical strike. In a press conference, Congress’ communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala targeted the BJP government for basking in the glory of surgical strike that was carried out by the Indian Army. He argued that all the credit should be given to the army for the surgical strike as it is the achievement of the army but BJP keeps glorifying Modi government for it without attribution to the army. Congress alleged that by releasing the video BJP is exploiting people’s sentiment in its favour to fetch votes. Surjewala said: “The ruling party will have to remember that they cannot make the sacrifice of the Army a tool to garner votes for them. It is the soldiers who sacrificed their lives and it is Modi ji who was glorified.” He further accused the government of exploiting surgical strike to wins votes.  He said: “Modi government is exploiting the slogan of 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' and trying to win votes through surgical strike. Nation wants to ask them did Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh boast of the success of Army operations during their tenure, just like them? He enumerated the times government remained ignorant to the needs of the army men. He said: “Government’s apathy towards the army is evident. Army officers' ration has been stopped since a year without any solid reason, their regiment allowance has been slashed to half, Prime Minister Modi Ji and Finance Minister Jaitley Ji have imposed GST in army canteens, do these not reflect discerning attitude towards army?”

Govt's apathy towards the army is evident. Army officers' ration has been stopped since a year without any solid reason, regiment allowance has been slashed to half, PM and FM have imposed GST in army canteens: Cong. spokesperson on surgical strike video pic.twitter.com/Sh4v2ofP8k

— ABP News (@abpnewstv) June 28, 2018

He said that the nation needs to be cautioned because whenever Modi government starts failing, whenever BJP starts losing, they misuse the valour of the Army for their political benefits. BJP has refuted all the allegations by saying that it was Congress that first demanded the proof of surgical strike. BJP leader Subramanian Swamy told ABP  News that the video has not been released with any political motives but to provide encouragement to the army heroes. While talking to ANI he said, “Just because they (Congress) can't produce such videos, because there's none, we shouldn't do it too? If you did it, why did you hide it? It's just like the old saying 'grapes are sour'.”

Just because they (Congress) can't produce such videos,because there's none,we shouldn't do it too? How's this exploiting people's sentiments in BJP's favour? If you did it, why did you hide it? It's just like the old saying 'grapes are sour': Subramanian Swamy on #SurgicalStrike pic.twitter.com/rryPhTOx92

— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2018

Videos of Indian Army-led surgical strike across the LoC  that took place in September 2016 destroyed Pakistan Army's position and terrorists launch pads, were made public by BJP on Wednesday. Watch: