New Delhi: Before the Narendra Modi-led government, or any of its top representatives, issued statements on the Indian Air Force strikes in terror camps across the Line of Control, the opposition sprung into action, reacting in myriad ways on social media.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi tweeted at around 9:30am, choosing to skip any specifics. “I salute the pilots of the IAF,” his tweet said.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati commended the IAF but not without bringing in a political element into her tweet.
“My salute and respects for the courageous action of our brave IAF personnel against Jaish terrorists after entering PoK. If the BJP government had given a free hand to our forces earlier, it would have been better,” she said.
Hail the efforts of Indian Air Force.
— N Chandrababu Naidu #StayHomeSaveLives (@ncbn) February 26, 2019
Andhra Pradesh CM and Telugu Desam Party chief N. Chandrababu Naidu hailed “the efforts of the Indian Air Force”, while Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said, “I salute the Indian Air Force and indeed all our Armed Forces. Congratulations.”
I salute the Indian Air Force and indeed all our Armed Forces. Congratulations @IAF_MCC
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) February 26, 2019
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee took to Twitter and decided to add a dash of creativity.
“IAF also means India’s Amazing Fighters. Jai Hind,” she tweeted.
Also read: These are the 3 locations in Pakistan that were bombed by Indian Air Force
Rashtriya Janata Dal’s Tejashwi Yadav also took to Twitter to react to the strikes. “We salute bravery of our pilots and Air Force. We are blessed and proud of our forces. Jai Hind,” he wrote.
Former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeted: “Post pre dawn strikes carried out by IAF, conflicting reports coming in. Official communique by FS claims that terror training camps were bombed while Pak denied this & said that the planes made a hasty retreat after being spotted. Hope objective of both sides has been served. (sic)”
Meanwhile, BJP MP in the Rajya Sabha Subramanian Swamy tweeted in his trademark controversial style.
“Actually it was mostly on our own territory, which is called PoK- Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. So you can always bomb your own territory, nothing wrong,” he said.
Also read: India’s Mirage 2000 fighter jets destroyed Pakistani terrorist camp, ANI claims
Rahul Gandhi should realize that urgency to unite against Modi’s BJP is STRONGER than ever. He must, in national interest, stop playing electoral adventurism and the Congress should completely join hands with Kejriwal in Delhi, SP+BSP in U.P. and Mamta in west Bengal. Rahul must realize that if the Congress splits votes of opposition which leads to BJP’s win in these states then many non-BJP sympathizers will call him nothing less than a traitor. I will be, in my own insignificant way, a part of that group.
It would be gracious also to congratulate the government, which directs and controls the IAF. Josh High hai, Madame …
I think these opportunistic leaders should be asking for the proofs of air-strikes like last time.