Govt to likely brief NDA-ruled CMs on Op Sindoor next week
New Delhi, May 15 -- Chief ministers and deputy chief ministers of states ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are likely to be briefed about Operation Sindoor, India's military strikes against terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir, next week, said people aware of developments.
According to the people cited above, the CMs and deputy CMs of a clutch of states, including poll-bound Bihar, will be in the Capital to attend the governing council meeting of the NITI Aayog on May 24. The leaders from the NDA-governed states are also expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi a day later, the people added.
After Modi's address to the nation on Monday, the BJP has rolled out a massive outreach programme to create awareness about India's anti-terror strikes against Pakistan. A senior party functionary, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, the outreach, which will cover every district, will see party leaders explain the achievements of the armed forces, and how the eventual ceasefire on May 10 was the result of India's "precision strikes" against terror camps.
"There is a lot of misinformation about the operation and about the losses that we suffered. The armed forces that carried out the strikes have already put on record some of the achievements, but we felt there is a need to give more details and answer questions that our people might have," said the functionary.
The party is ready to respond to tough questions about the timing of the ceasefire, given how the Indian forces "achieved their target", and about why the government -- which has a stated position on reclaiming Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) -- did not pursue military action.
"There is a mahaul (atmosphere) about how close India was to reclaiming PoK. Some sections are upset that it has not happened...but we have to explain how in the current geopolitical situation with China playing a dominant role, the move could have an adverse impact on our economy. There is no change in the stance on reclaiming PoK," the functionary said.
Reclaiming PoK has been part of the manifesto of the BJP and its predecessor, the Jana Sangh.
On whether the operation is expected to be the mainstay of the NDA's election campaign in Bihar, where assembly polls are expected in October-November, the functionary quoted above said, "it was an operation by the armed forces of the nation, it should not be seen as a political issue."
At least two leaders in Bihar said the issue will find a resonance on the ground, especially with the BJP asserting its commitment to showing "zero tolerance to terror".
"There is no doubt that the victory belongs to the armed forces...but it helps that PM Modi had given them a free hand to give a befitting response to the terror attack that was carried out in Pahalgam (on April 22)," said a state unit functionary, also speaking on condition of anonymity....
To read the full article or to get the complete feed from this publication, please
Contact Us.