New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar has sparked a row over his remark: “Do terrorists have time?”, while responding to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 dead.
Wadettiwar was quoted as saying to ANI: “The government should take responsibility for the Pahalgam Terrorist Attack. They (the government) are saying that terrorists killed people after asking them (about their religion). Do terrorists have time for all this?… Some people say that this did not happen. Terrorists have no caste or religion. Catch those who are responsible and take action. This is the sentiment of the country.”
His comments drew flak rom the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused the grand old party leaders of “competing to give a clean chit to Pakistan”.
In a video, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said that Congress leaders were in a race to give a clean chit to Pakistan…He added: “Vijay Wadettiwar says that the government is responsible, Pakistan is not responsible and is there any proof that terrorists killed people based on religion.”
Siddaramaiah criticised
He pointed out that Anil Deshmukh of NCP-Sharad Pawar faction also passed similar remarks. The BJP leader said: “In the all-party meeting, they will say that Pakistan is responsible, take action against Pakistan, take action against terrorists, we are with you. And after the all-party meeting, they say don’t take action against Pakistan.”
Earlier, the BJP had flayed Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah, after he a Pakistan news channel mentioned him for his “not in favour of war” remark. Siddaramaiah had reportedly pointed to a security lapse in the terror incident. “We are not in favour of war. Steps should be taken to tighten security measures in the Kashmir region. The central government should increase security to ensure peace in Kashmir,” he had said.
BJP MP Sambit Patra pointed out that Siddaramaiah’s remarks are being aired across media channels in Pakistan. “Look at these prominent Congress leaders who seem to be standing with them.”
