Lauding the valour of Indian armed forces during Operation Sindoor, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said India had an “opportunity to take control” of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) during the military operation.
Speaking at the State Assembly on adopting a resolution hailing Indian armed forces for Operation Sindoor, Banerjee alleged that the Pahalgam terror attack was a result of the total failure and callousness of the Centre, which failed to ensure national security. She also accused the BJP of politicising the bravery of the armed forces.
The term, “Operation Sindoor”, was never mentioned in the tabled resolution. Opposition BJP hit back at the State government and questioned why the term was not mentioned in the resolution.
“We do not support terrorism. Terror has no caste, creed, or religion. Regarding the Pahalgam attack on tourists, and the way they were killed, we express condolences. It cannot be expressed in words and we show solidarity,” Banerjee said.
Hailing India’s military action, she said, “There was a need for teaching them a lesson. We salute the bravery of our armed forces.”
The Chief Minister said India had an opportunity to take control of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir during the military operation.
Operation Sindoor was launched on the intervening night of May 6-7 in wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed.
“Why were no security forces or police personnel present at the spot of the terror attack?” asked Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress supremo.
BJP protests
She accused the BJP of trying to politicise the valour of the armed forces with an eye on elections. Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Banerjee alleged, “The PM is only busy advertising about himself.”
The BJP protested, demanding acknowledgment of Modi’s role in the operation.
“What kind of appreciation, when the name Operation Sindoor hasn’t even been mentioned in the resolution? We understand what exactly Mamata Banerjee wants. We understand her feelings towards our armed forces and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Two things cannot go hand-in-hand,” BJP leader Agnimitra Paul said.