Kalaburagi: Don't play politics on bodies of jawans, says M Mallikarjun Kharge

Kalaburagi: Taking strong exception to PM Narendra Modi accusing opposition parties of indirectly helping Paskistan and harming India by their comments on the armed forces, senior Congress leader, M Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday warned him against “playing politics on the dead bodies of soldiers”.

Mr Kharge said it was evident from the recent comments of both Mr Modi and state BJP chief B.S. Yeddyurappa that they were trying to gain political mileage from the airstrikes carried out by the armed forces on Pakistan in retaliation for the killing of 40 CRPF jawans in a terror attack .

“Mr Yeddyurappa went to the extent of saying the party would win 22 seats in Karnataka following the airstrikes. When Pakistan attacks, those in power should think of a counter-offensive instead of criticising the opposition. But Modi delivers a political speech when our soldiers are martyred by the enemy. His remarks are painful for everybody," he said.

Pointing to the Pakistan-backed strikes in Kashmir, he said the Centre must take the issue seriously and find a way out in the interest of national security. “When Pakistan continues to be in illegal and forcible occupation of a part of Jammu and Kashmir, the Union government should take steps to deal with it,” he added.

He said he was happy at the return of the IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman from Pakistan.

Asked about sharing of seats between the coalition partners in the state for the coming Lok Sahba poll, he said the Congress Legislative Party leader, Siddaramaiah and Chief Minister Kumaraswamy would take a final call on the matter.