In Telangana, row over CM Revanth Reddy's question – ‘how many Rafales were shot down, PM?'
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy kicked up a political storm this week when he asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare how many Rafale fighter planes 'were shot down by Pakistan' in the recent border standoff.
Speaking at the Jai Hind Sabha — a meeting called to congratulate the Indian armed forces for their valorous contributions in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack of April 22 — Thursday, Revanth said: 'The soldiers of this (Secunderabad ) Cantonment were part of the war. The war planes manufactured in Telangana safeguarded the respect for our country. Rafale aircraft brought by Narendra Modi were shot down by Pakistan. There is no discussion on how many Rafales were shot down. Narendra Modi should answer how many Rafale aircrafts were shot down by Pakistan during the recent war. You give us the account for this'.
This comes on a day when both Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the contributions of the armed forces during India's retaliatory strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan during 'Operation Sindoor'.
On May 10 – after three days of escalating tensions at the border – India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire.
In his speech, Reddy went on to say that despite all parties — including the Congress — pledging support to the prime minister in the fight against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, he was not able to deliver justice to the Pahalgam victims.
'Why was the war called off hurriedly within four days after the first military strike on Pakistan? Why wasn't an all-party meeting called to seek the opinions of different parties before declaring a ceasefire?' Reddy asked. He added: 'Only a leader with courage and determination can prepare war strategy. Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had given a stern warning to the US when it tried to mediate between India and Pakistan in the 1971 war. It was Indira Gandhi who taught a befitting lesson to Pakistan by dividing the enemy country into two halves during that war,' the chief minister said. Reddy took strong exception to the war being called off 'at the behest of US President Donald Trump'. He added: 'War is not your business. It is an important issue of national security'.
The BJP sharply responded to the speech Friday, with its national leader Sambit Patra saying during a press conference referencing the Bollywood film 'Sholay' (1975). He said: 'Rahul Gandhi, Jairam Ramesh, Revanth Reddy are asking how many Rafales were shot down. These people who are 'Babbars' of Pakistan are the 'Gabbars of India'.
Continuing with the analogy he added: 'Because of India's Jai and India's bravery, Gabbar's defeat is certain. Rahul Gandhi did not ask how many Pakistani air bases were destroyed, how many terrorists were killed. He asked only how many Indian planes were shot down'.
Meanwhile, the Telangana BJP too latched on to Reddy's comments Friday evening stating, Reddy referred to Pakistan as 'Mana Pakistan' (Our Pakistan) in Telugu. This address reflected Revanth Reddy's true feelings for Pakistan, the party leadership alleged.
In a post on X, the BJP criticised the Congress for consistently opposing surgical strikes and the military's Agnipath short-term recruitment policy. The party targeted Reddy saying: 'Stick to Miss World photo ops, Revanth. National security isn't your stage'.
The Miss World pageant is being held in Telangana's Hyderabad this year.
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