New Delhi: Congress leader Sam Pitroda on Friday asked the government to come out with “more facts” on the Balakot air strikes, and said that he was “baffled” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reaction to his question which he was entitled to ask.
Pitroda, chief of Indian Overseas Congress, also said it was good to have a debate, discussion, dialogue and discourse, and it does not amount to questioning anyone.
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi, using the hashtag ‘Janta Maaf Nahi Karegi’ (people will not forgive) in a tweet, attacked Pitroda for reportedly saying he wanted to “know more” about the Balakot air attack, including number of terrorists killed.
Several BJP leaders, including BJP chief Amit Shah, slammed Pitroda for his remarks.
“All I said is, can we get more facts, that’s all. I don’t know why this whole confusion… In democracy you are entitled to ask a question. It is good to have a debate, discussion, dialogue, discourse,” Pitroda told PTI.
“My asking a question should not create the kind of reaction it has created, even at the level of the prime minister. I am baffled,” the technocrat-turned-politician said.
Attacking Pitroda, Modi also said: “Loyal courtier of Congress’ royal dynasty admits what the nation already knew — Congress was unwilling to respond to forces of terror. This is a New India- we will answer terrorists in a language they understand and with interest!.”
He also asserted that he was neither questioning the armed forces as being alleged by the BJP and the prime minister nor the government.
“I am just saying give me more facts,” Pitroda said.
Days after the Pulwama terror attack that claimed the lives of 40 CRPF jawans, Indian Air Force fighter jets bombed terror group JeM training camp near Balakot inside Pakistan on February 26.
Pakistan retaliated by attempting to target Indian military installations the next day. However, the IAF thwarted their plans.
He also asserted that his remarks were in his personal capacity and had nothing to do with the Congress.
Pitroda, a long-time friend of the Gandhi family, led the telecom revolution under Rajiv Gandhi when he set up the C-DOT. He worked on the Knowledge Commission and also founded National Innovation Council during the UPA rule.
Also read: PM Modi slams Sam Pitroda & calls opposition ‘terror apologists’
Let’s all abide by *Sham* Petrodas request. Just ignore him. Isn’t it what he’s asking for? He says his comments are of not worth a response, so he’s baffled.
Sam has his area of strength and has worked on India’s telecom, water and education missions with distinction. Every engineer in his brainchild CDOT was enthused by him and his ideas. But he’s out of touch with politics in India and hardly has the pulse of the voter.
That’s why he has raised a bizarre issue that was forgotten weeks ago and had simmered down.
Everyone in India has accepted that 4-5 bombs struck the Balakot buildings , but everyone knows ( except Sam ) that one can’t count bodies from 40000 feet. Even Rahul had cooled off on Balakot , when Sam started shooting from the hip.
I somehow feel that Mani Shankar Iyer, Digvijay Singh and now, Sam Pitroda, are secretly on the rolls of BJP. Otherwise why would such outwardly intelligent people bowl slow full tosses on the leg side to the ruling party?
No words to express how ridiculous these people are who are asking for facts and making a mockery of themselves.
I do not think Sam Pitroda has committed any sin by asking for more information. Election or no election, people are entitled to know. If BJP manipulates this, it is its headache. Because no party should be drunk with majoritarian “wine”. People go after truth, not after myth. People of this country are mature enough.
Why always Congress do these type of mistakes. Real villain for Congress is Congress itself. Till the time they dont stand on their legs they fail again and again. They need to find right person to lead their party. Gandhi family is done for Congress.
Digvijay Singh and manishankar ayyar facing tough competition now from emerging star – Sam Pitroda.
Good. On every election eve, Congress presents gifts to the BJP on a plate; It was Mani Shankar Iyer, with his “Chaiwallah” jibe, that swung lots of seats to the BJP in 2014. And, to prove the saying “Cometh the hour, Cometh the Man”, here is Sam Pitroda to help and assist the BJP on its way to power in 2019.