New Delhi: Congress leader and party's overseas chief Sam Pitroda's statement on Friday has triggered a huge political controversy even as experts believe that this kind of statement would definitely put the grand old party in backfoot.
"This kind of statement especially ahead of the general election might put Congress to the corner, though Congress would definitely try to defuse the situation," said strategic and political affairs expert Subimal Bhattacharjee.
He said that the issue of national security should be left at the government to do what they think is best for the country.
"I don't think Sam Pitroda's statement is in right spirit... In fact, the attack on Balakot was hailed by many," said Bhattacharjee.
Referring to India's relation with most of the neighbouring countries, Bhattacharjee said that the present government has taken the country's relationship with others to a new level.
"Except Pakistan, our relationship with most of the neighbouring countries are good," he asserted.
Earlier, Pitroda has said that you can't blame the entire country for what a handful of people did. "Eight people come and do something (26/11 Mumbai terror attack), you don't jump on the entire nation (Pakistan). After the Mumbai attack, we could have reacted and just sent our planes but that is not the right approach... I don't believe in that way," Pitroda said.
His statement became a major issue for the ruling party. BJP president Amit Shah said that the Congress suspect our Army, we are proud of our army. "Their heart beats for terrorists, ours beats for the Tiranga," Shah tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "The Opposition insults our forces time and again. I appeal to my fellow Indians to question opposition leaders on their statements."
Interestingly, Congress also tried to keep itself at distance from Pitroda's statement. The party said that it was his individual opinion.
