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Maharashtra CM Fadnavis, Deputy CM Shinde hail Operation Sindoor, Raut says credit goes to armed forces

Maharashtra CM Fadnavis, Deputy CM Shinde hail Operation Sindoor, Raut says credit goes to armed forces

Indian Express07-05-2025
Political leaders in Maharashtra Wednesday hailed Operation Sindoor, India's military action against terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). While those part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance credited the Narendra Modi government for Operation Sindoor, Opposition leaders said the credit should actually go to the armed forces.
Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis took to X to express solidarity in a brief message: 'Jai Hind. Bharat Mata Ki Jai.'
जय हिंद 🇮🇳
भारत माता की जय ! pic.twitter.com/vNgDhYw5Nk
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) May 6, 2025
Operation Sindoor, which targeted nine terror bases in Pakistan and PoK past Wednesday midnight, was executed two weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, in which 26 people were killed.
Talking to reporters, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said India has 'truly avenged the lives lost in Pahalgam' and Operation Sindoor has brought 'a sense of justice and satisfaction to every Indian'.
'The resolve of our Honourable Prime Minister, Narendra Modi was clearly reflected in this decisive action,' said Shinde.
'India is a peace-loving nation, but when challenged, it compels its enemies to kneel — a message that has now been sent loud and clear to the entire world. Operation Sindoor is set to break the backbone of terrorism in Pakistan, and from now on, these terrorists won't even dare to look toward India. Now, bullets will be answered with firepower. Today, every Indian stands united with our armed forces,' added Shinde.
Meanwhile, Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut cautioned against politicising the military's actions and questioned the government's intentions. He said the credit belongs to the armed forces, and the BJP should not claim credit for the strike.
'If you are going to claim credit for this action, then you must also take responsibility for the deaths in Pahalgam. The credit belongs solely to the Indian Army, and they should be honoured,' Raut said.
Raut added, 'People say Modi has 'shown what leadership means'. Yes, he is the prime minister, but real leadership would have meant asking for (Home Minister) Amit Shah 's resignation first. I've said this repeatedly: several women were widowed. Amit Shah, as the home minister, is responsible. If Modi had demanded his resignation, that would have been a real action. That would have been the first real strike.'
'Now that the task has been given to the Indian Army, they have delivered. Politicians don't fight at the border — they issue commands. If the Army is capable, it carries out the mission, which it did. Therefore, politicians should not take credit for this,' Raut said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also hailed the armed forces and said, 'Pakistani civilians should thank the Indian Army for dismantling the terror infrastructure created, aided, and abetted by their Pakistani army generals. We have cleaned your house by entering it.'
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray urged the government to focus on internal security lapses rather than external military action.
'Doing mock drills and airstrikes or war is not the answer to the Pahalgam attack. It is important that the terrorists involved in the attack are traced. First and foremost, the question should have been asked why there was no security in Pahalgam,' Raj Thackeray said.
'Instead of talking about war, the government should be conducting combing operations across the country to hunt down such elements. War is not a solution. The country is already facing several pressing issues,' he added.
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