Shehzad Poonawalla and Shashi Tharoor (Images/Agencies) NEW DELHI: BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Saturday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of putting “family interests above national interest” while defending Operation Sindoor. He cited Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s remarks to counter Opposition criticism of the military operation.In a post on X, the BJP leader wrote: “Once again a fact check for Rahul Gandhi & his ilk like Prithviraj Chavan from Shashi Tharoor. Shows them a mirror on their fake narratives about Op Sindoor & ‘surrender’ narrative.” ‘Every Indian Is Assaulted When…’: Shashi Tharoor Slams Attacks On Christmas Celebrations In India Referring to comments made earlier by Tharoor, Poonawalla said even leaders from the Opposition had acknowledged that national security issues should rise above partisan politics.“Foreign policy is not of the BJP or Congress, but of India. If someone in politics rejoices at the defeat of a Prime Minister, they are celebrating the defeat of India.”Using the remark to attack the Congress leadership, Poonawalla added: “Sadly Rahul Gandhi puts parivarik interest above India’s interest. In his hatred for BJP — he hates India.”This is not the first time the BJP spokesperson has cited Shashi Tharoor to target the Opposition. Earlier, Poonawalla had referred to Tharoor’s article criticising dynastic politics to take aim at the Gandhi family and the Congress leadership. Describing the piece as “insightful”, Poonawalla had hailed the Congress MP as a “Khatron ke Khiladi” for openly questioning political succession within his own party.’Completely defeated’: Prithviraj Chavan after Operation SindoorThe BJP’s sharp response comes amid a political storm triggered by remarks from senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, who earlier this month claimed that India was “completely defeated” on the first day of Operation Sindoor.Speaking to reporters in Pune, Chavan had said: “On the first day (of Operation Sindoor) we were completely defeated. In the half-hour aerial engagement that took place on the 7th, we were fully defeated, whether people accept it or not. Indian aircraft were shot down. The Air Force was completely grounded, and not a single aircraft flew.”He further questioned the nature of modern warfare and the size of India’s armed forces.“Recently, we saw during Operation Sindoor, there was not even a one-kilometre movement of the military… Whatever happened over two or three days was only an aerial war and missile warfare. In such a situation, do we really need to maintain an army of 12 lakh soldiers, or can we make they do some other work?”The comments drew strong criticism from the BJP, which accused the Congress of repeatedly undermining the armed forces. Responding on X earlier, Poonawalla had said the statements were “shocking” and alleged that the Congress had a history of questioning military actions, adding: “Sena ka apman is Congress ki pehchaan.”Chavan, however, refused to apologise for his remarks, insisting that he had a constitutional right to question government actions.“Why will I apologise? It is out of the question. The Constitution gives me the right to ask questions,” he said.Rahul Gandhi cites Donald Trump on Operation SindoorThe BJP has also linked the controversy to Rahul Gandhi’s earlier remarks on Operation Sindoor, in which the Congress leader cited US President Donald Trump’s claims and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi halted military action under external pressure.Gandhi had said: “Trump dialled PM Modi and said: Sunn… yeh jo tu kar raha hai isko 24 ghante ke andar band kar… aur Narendra Modi ne paanch ghante ke andar saara ka saara rok diya.” (Listen… whatever you’re doing, stop it within 24 hours, and Narendra Modi stopped everything within five hours.)The government has repeatedly rejected this claim. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told Parliament that Prime Minister Modi and Trump had no calls during the period in question, while PM Modi himself said in the Lok Sabha: “No world leader asked for suspension of Operation Sindoor.”Operation Sindoor was launched by India on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 civilians were killed.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia, Asia Are Rising As Global Epicentres While US, Europe Lose Grip On Power: Russian AmbassadorCWC Meet: Top Congress Leaders Huddle Up In Delhi, Discuss Action Against Govt On G RAM G LawOperation Aaghat 3.0 Crushes Crime As Delhi Police Arrest 660 Accused Ahead Of New Year CelebrationsBJP MP Anurag Thakur Links Ram Name Objection to Congress Decline, Defends New Rural Jobs LawNew Zealand PM Defends India FTA as Economic Game Changer Despite Sharp Objections from AllyFrom Tsunami To Economic Collapse: India Emerged As Sri Lanka’s First Responder, Says EnvoyJames Concert Cancelled After Attack In Bangladesh As MEA Slams Anti India Protests And Mob ViolenceH-1B Visa Delays: MEA Says India Has Flagged Issue With USIndia Flags H-1B Visa Delays With US As Indians Face Backlogs Scrutiny And Policy UncertaintyPM Modi Praises Gen Z Confidence, Sees Them Leading Viksit Bharat123PhotostoriesWhen Should You Cut Your Hair According to Astrology?Vintage Pierre Balmain to Sabyasachi silk saree: 5 times Alia Bhatt proved black is her power colour in 20254 easy ways to make restaurant like Hot Chocolate at homeOprah Winfrey once said, “Education is the key to unlocking the world…”: 5 lessons it teaches studentsShahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput Kapoor’s thoughtful parenting lessons10 oldest people ever lived in the whole worldTravelling Europe on a budget? 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NEW DELHI: BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Saturday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of putting “family interests above national interest” while defending Operation Sindoor. He cited Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s remarks to counter Opposition criticism of the military operation.In a post on X, the BJP leader wrote: “Once again a fact check for Rahul Gandhi & his ilk like Prithviraj Chavan from Shashi Tharoor. Shows them a mirror on their fake narratives about Op Sindoor & ‘surrender’ narrative.”
Referring to comments made earlier by Tharoor, Poonawalla said even leaders from the Opposition had acknowledged that national security issues should rise above partisan politics.“Foreign policy is not of the BJP or Congress, but of India. If someone in politics rejoices at the defeat of a Prime Minister, they are celebrating the defeat of India.”Using the remark to attack the Congress leadership, Poonawalla added: “Sadly Rahul Gandhi puts parivarik interest above India’s interest. In his hatred for BJP — he hates India.”This is not the first time the BJP spokesperson has cited Shashi Tharoor to target the Opposition. Earlier, Poonawalla had referred to Tharoor’s article criticising dynastic politics to take aim at the Gandhi family and the Congress leadership. Describing the piece as “insightful”, Poonawalla had hailed the Congress MP as a “Khatron ke Khiladi” for openly questioning political succession within his own party.
‘Completely defeated’: Prithviraj Chavan after Operation Sindoor
The BJP’s sharp response comes amid a political storm triggered by remarks from senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, who earlier this month claimed that India was “completely defeated” on the first day of Operation Sindoor.Speaking to reporters in Pune, Chavan had said: “On the first day (of Operation Sindoor) we were completely defeated. In the half-hour aerial engagement that took place on the 7th, we were fully defeated, whether people accept it or not. Indian aircraft were shot down. The Air Force was completely grounded, and not a single aircraft flew.”He further questioned the nature of modern warfare and the size of India’s armed forces.“Recently, we saw during Operation Sindoor, there was not even a one-kilometre movement of the military… Whatever happened over two or three days was only an aerial war and missile warfare. In such a situation, do we really need to maintain an army of 12 lakh soldiers, or can we make they do some other work?”The comments drew strong criticism from the BJP, which accused the Congress of repeatedly undermining the armed forces. Responding on X earlier, Poonawalla had said the statements were “shocking” and alleged that the Congress had a history of questioning military actions, adding: “Sena ka apman is Congress ki pehchaan.”Chavan, however, refused to apologise for his remarks, insisting that he had a constitutional right to question government actions.“Why will I apologise? It is out of the question. The Constitution gives me the right to ask questions,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi cites Donald Trump on Operation Sindoor
The BJP has also linked the controversy to Rahul Gandhi’s earlier remarks on Operation Sindoor, in which the Congress leader cited US President Donald Trump’s claims and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi halted military action under external pressure.Gandhi had said: “Trump dialled PM Modi and said: Sunn… yeh jo tu kar raha hai isko 24 ghante ke andar band kar… aur Narendra Modi ne paanch ghante ke andar saara ka saara rok diya.” (Listen… whatever you’re doing, stop it within 24 hours, and Narendra Modi stopped everything within five hours.)The government has repeatedly rejected this claim. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told Parliament that Prime Minister Modi and Trump had no calls during the period in question, while PM Modi himself said in the Lok Sabha: “No world leader asked for suspension of Operation Sindoor.”Operation Sindoor was launched by India on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 civilians were killed.
