In a rare gesture, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal "saluted" Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the surgical strikes by the Army on terror launch pads across the line of Control last week and urged the Centre to counter Pakistan's smear campaign on international stage.
Kejriwal, who is often at loggerheads with the Centre, said he may have differences with the Prime Minister over several issues, but by undertaking the surgical strikes, Modi has shown the will to deal with Pakistan.
Claiming that foreign media, appears to be backing Pakistan's claim, he said in a video message, "My blood boils when I saw that report. There were reports being published by BBC and The New York Times questioning whether surgical strikes actually took place."
"last week our Army showed valour and avenged the deaths of 19 soldiers killed in the Uri attack. I may have differences with the Prime Minister over a 100 issues. But when he has shown the will (to deal with this matter), I salute him," he said.
This is perhaps the first time that Kejriwal, who has been critical about the Modi Government and its Pakistan policy, has come out praising him. On the day of the strikes, the CM had hailed the Army, but there was no word of praise for Modi.
"It has resorted to playing dirty politics. Since the last two days, Pakistan is taking international journalists to the border and trying to show that surgical strikes never took place. Two days back, the United Nations gave a statement that there was no such activity on the border," he said.
"Two days back, the United Nations gave a statement that there was no such activity on the border," he said.
"They were trying to show children playing there and trying to portray a normal life there. They were trying to show that there is no proof of surgical strikes there," said the CM.
"Pakistan is trying to damage India's reputation in the international community," he said. "I appeal to the Prime Minister: Unmask Pakistan's false propaganda like the way you (Modi) and the Army taught Pakistan a lesson on the ground," Kejriwal said.
"The entire country is with you. We are with you. I also appeal to the people to not fall for Pakistan's false propaganda," he said.
Kejriwal ended his message by saying, "Bharat Mata ki jai."
Soon after Kejriwal's message to the PM was published by the media, Twitterati started trending #AKBacksModiOnPak. One user commented, "Whoever is trending this trend > #AKBacksModiOnPak doesn't realise the irony behind AK's statement. He's mocking and trolling PM on Strike."
Earlier at a Special Session on Friday, the CM had told the Delhi Assembly that is time to stand with the Centre and the differences between them can be sorted out later.
In July, Kejriwal had also referred to the PM in a 10-minute video appeal to supporters and members of his Aam Aadmi Party. He warned that the PM, unnerved by the Delhi Government's accomplishments and effective policies, "could even have me eliminated".