Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday took on Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for making controversial 'dalali' remarks on the Army action across the line of Control (loC) by urging political parties to set aside their differences and rally behind the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Also, the AAP is said to have decided not to criticise Modi's anti-terror policies against Pakistan. The party will also be sending its volunteers to border areas of Punjab to send across a clear message that it stood behind the Centre in its resolve to handle terrorism in the country.
Kejriwal, who faced criticism over his remarks on surgical strikes in a video message, said on Friday that the Armed forces were to be credited for valiantly carrying out the operation and demolishing terror launch pads across the loC and that there should not be any politics over this issue.
"Our soldiers valiantly carried out surgical strikes and demolished terror addresses. I have previously done so and want to congratulate the Army once again for this. I strongly criticise Rahul Gandhi's remarks wherein he said Army's sacrifices and bravery was khoon ki dalali."
"I condemn the use of such words. I have told in the House as well as in a video message that right now there is tension at the border. The entire country should stand behind the Army keeping aside political differences and support the Prime Minister's steps pertaining to security. There should not be any politics over this issue," Kejriwal said.
Soon after he was criticised for his video statement, Kejriwal is said to have decided not to criticise the Prime Minister and extend his full support to his anti-terror policy against the neighbouring country.
This decision was reportedly taken by the AAP at its Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting on Wednesday which among others was attended by Kejriwal, labour Minister Gopal Rai and senior leaders Sanjay Singh and Kumar Vishwas.
The meeting was reportedly called to assess the damage caused to the party after the release of the CM's video and its possible impact on next year's assembly polls in Punjab. Reports suggest that Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Singh have been told to do the damage control to ensure party's image was not further tarnished.
Kejriwal was widely criticised after he urged Modi to "expose" Pakistan's propaganda on surgical strikes. The BJP had said the AAP supremo's comments amounted to seeking proof and was an insult to the Army. As soon as Kejriwal tweeted the recorded statement, #AKBackModiOnPak, a hashtag he used with the video, started trending on Twitter. But in no time another hashtag started doing the rounds, #KejriwalDoubtsIndianArmy.