New Delhi: Expressing “deep anguish” over what they alleged was “blatant politicisation” of the sacrifices of armed forces, 21 Opposition parties urged the Central government to take the nation into confidence on all measures to protect India’s sovereignty, unity and integrity.
After a meeting of the opposition parties that lasted over three hours, the leaders expressed concern over the prevailing security situation in the country amid growing tensions with Pakistan and regretted that the Prime Minister as per established practice has not convened an all-party meeting yet.
While the leaders of 21 parties were present, Samajwadi Party did not attend the meeting. Omar Abdullah too skipped it. The opposition leaders condemned the Pulwama terror attack by Jaish-e-Mohammed on February 14 and paid homage to the soldiers killed.
In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the leaders expressed solidarity with the armed forces in crushing terrorism and lauded the action of Indian Air Force against the terrorist camp on February 26 and praised the valour and bravery of the armed forces. “The meeting of 21 parties expressed deep anguish over the blatant politicisation of the sacrifices made by our armed forces by leaders of the ruling party. National security must transcend narrow political considerations,” the joint statement said.
