Pulwama politics: Who benefitted, asks Rahul

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, February 14

On the first anniversary of the Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel on February 14 last year, the Congress launched a scathing attack on the ruling BJP asking who benefitted the most from the attack.

Former party president Rahul Gandhi led the offensive with a tweet featuring a series of questions about the attack, which led to the Indian Air Force striking deep in Pakistan to dismantle terror networks.

“Today as we remember our 40 CRPF martyrs in the Pulwama attack, let us ask: Who benefitted the most from the attack? What is the outcome of the inquiry into the attack? Who in the BJP government has yet been held accountable for the security lapses that allowed the attack? Entire nation pays homage to martyrs of Pulwama!” Rahul Gandhi said in reference to the BJP riding to power in the 2019 General Election.

In a sharp reaction to the Congress attack, the BJP hit back at Rahul Gandhi, claiming that he had given a “clean chit” to Pakistan on a day the nation commemorated the 40 CRPF men martyred a year ago. The bitter war of words saw the ruling party brand him a “known sympathiser” of terror groups Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.

“Shame on you,” said BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao. “When nation is paying homage to martyrs of dastardly Pulwama attack, Rahul Gandhi, a known sympathiser of LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed, chooses to target not just the government but security forces as well. Rahul will never question the real culprit, Pakistan,” Rao said.

“This is an insult to martyrs who sacrificed their life for the country. The Congress has done this in the past as well and people taught them a lesson for this blunder. Such remarks by Rahul Gandhi help Pakistan counter India on international platforms,” added BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain while the party’s IT cell chief Amit Malviya accused him of giving a clean chit to Pakistan on its role in the attack.

“...allowed the attack? Are you, Mr Gandhi, suggesting that Pakistan is not responsible for the attack in Pulwama? Why would you insist on giving them a clean chit? Did you not see the Indian forces take out terrorists in Balakot? Are you disappointed that India took resolute action?” Malviya said.

The Congress, meanwhile, officially also sought to corner the BJP with AICC media head Randeep Surjewala leading the charge on the issue.

Surjewala also asked about why the report of the Pulwama attack had not been made public and added another query about whether the recently arrested J&K police officer Davinder Singh had a role in the attack.

“Who brought 350 kg IED? Why were intelligence reports of the attack ignored? Did Davinder Singh have any role?” asked Surjewala.

Addressing reporters, Congress spokesman Jaiveer Shergill said the BJP had been practising a use-and-throw policy towards soldiers of the country.

“The government has betrayed the families of Pulwama martyrs by not keeping their promises of offering government jobs to the wards and Rs 25 lakh grant to families,” Shergill said.

The Congress leader also asked where was the money from Bharat Ka Veer Fund of Rs 250 crore when families of Pulwama martyrs Mahesh Yadav, Hari Singh, Kushal Kumar Rawat and widow Anju Devi had not received a single rupee.

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