Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s posers to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the number of Rafale fighter jets India purportedly “lost” during Operation Sindoor has triggered a political storm, with the BJP calling Reddy and Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Jairam Ramesh “Babbars of Pakistan”, the lions of Pakistan.
On Thursday evening, Reddy along with other state ministers, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee chief Mahesh Goud and state party in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan led a “Jai Hind Yatra” at Bachupally in Medchal Malkajgiri district abutting Hyderabad.
The Jai Hind yatras are seen as Congress’ response to the BJP’s Tiranga yatras organised nationwide to mark the success of Operation Sindoor, the country’s cross-border offensive against Pakistan-based terror camps in response to 22 April Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 tourists were killed.
Reddy spoke at a public rally later, where he demanded PM Modi give a count of Rafale jets “downed” by Pakistan.
“Whereas our soldiers, indigenously built jets and systems saved us from ignominy, the Rafales bought in by Modi were downed by Pakistan. There is no discussion when questions are asked on how many Rafales did we lose,” Reddy said.
“PM Modi should answer how many Rafales imported by you have been shot down by Pakistan. Give us the count,” Reddy thundered, alleging that “the PM gave contracts worth thousands of crores of rupees to favored people.”
“Now, tell the country’s people, how did the jets collapse?”
The deal to purchase 36 Rafale jets by the Modi government in its first term from France’s Dassault Aviation became a controversy with Congress alleging favoritism, sidestepping of procedures and cost escalation in procurement of the combat fighter jets. Rahul Gandhi too attacked Modi over the Rafale deal on several occasions, including during the 2017 Gujarat elections.
Also Read: Rahul breaks silence on Op Sindoor, targets Jaishankar, asks how many aircraft did IAF lose in combat
BJP hits back
On Friday, the BJP reacted to Revanth’s challenge.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, BJP MP Sambit Patra said, “Rahul Gandhi, Jairam Ramesh, Revanth Reddy keep demanding to know how many Rafales were shot down.”
“Yeh jo Pakistan ke Babbar hain, woh Hindustan ke Gabbar hain,” Patra said, referring to the villain character of ‘Gabbar’ in Bollywood movie Sholay. Rahul Gandhi has often used the term “babbar sher” (lion) to motivate his party workers.
“Rahul Gandhi never asks how many Pakistani airbases were damaged, how many terrorists were killed, their camps destroyed; rather, the only question he asks is how many Indian jets were shot down,” Patra said.
Apparently referring to the ongoing feud between the Congress and its MP Shashi Tharoor, the BJP leader claimed there are “two factions in the Congress now—one which supports Pakistan and the other which wants to raise the voice for the country but such leaders are unable to do so because of you.”
“Your ‘Jai Hind Yatra’ looks more like ‘Jai Pakistan Yatra’. Better you stop this yatra and hold consultations and joint press conferences with Pakistan…” remarked the BJP leader.
In his speech, Revanth sought to know why the Modi government agreed to cessation of hostilities within days of initiating airstrikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
“We rose beyond politics, supported the PM and said Pakistan should be taught a lesson, wiped off the world map. But after four days, we don’t know what happened, who threatened and who turned submissive that abruptly US President Trump claims that he stopped the war, warned India,” Revanth said, alleging Modi mortgaged the self-respect of 140 crore Indians to Trump.
“Why was no all-party meeting called to seek the opinions before declaring a ceasefire?” the chief minister asked the centre.
Revanth said Modi should imbibe valour and take inspiration from former prime minister Indira Gandhi who led India to victories in 1967 against China and, despite external threats from the US, in 1971 against Pakistan, leading to the creation of Bangladesh.
“Leadership is not delivering grand dialogues. Who is stopping you from taking back the PoK, defeating Pakistan, splitting Baluchistan and making it an independent country.”
“Modi is like an outdated rupee, a demonetised Rs 1000 note. If Rahul Gandhi was the PM (taking inspiration from grandmother Indira) would have split Pak into two and merged POK into Hindustan”
The Telangana chief minister charged that BJP lacks genuine concern for India’s security and the soldiers on the border. Their Tiranga rallies and other such events are political and election-driven, he alleged.
“Only Rahul’s leadership can defeat both Pakistan and China. Modi is incapable of it. We should all work tirelessly to see Rahul become the PM for our country’s safety, security,” said Revanth in the rally addressing Congress workers.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
Also Read: As India-Pakistan conflict escalates, Kerala Congress rakes up Rafale controversy in now-deleted X post
