Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, May 30: Samajwadi Party’s Maharashtra president Abu Asim Azmi on Friday lashed out at the Central government over what he termed an “incomplete retaliation” through Operation Sindoor, India's military response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir.
Speaking to reporters, Azmi asked, “Why wasn’t Operation Sindoor completed? Why did the government stop midway? The sindoor (vermilion) of many women was wiped away due to the Pahalgam terror attack. We were told we were ready for war. So what changed in a day that a ceasefire was announced?”
His sharp criticism comes at a time when internal differences are emerging within the Congress. Senior leaders like Shashi Tharoor and former External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid recently praised the Modi-led government's stance on Operation Sindoor and the abrogation of Article 370, triggering backlash from party circles. Both leaders were part of international delegations and have been dubbed by critics as “super spokespersons of the BJP.”
Commenting on Khurshid’s remarks made during a visit to Indonesia, where he acknowledged that abrogating Article 370 helped end the perception of Kashmir being “separate from the rest of India,” Azmi said, “The constitutional process was not followed. There was no elected Assembly in place, which made the procedure flawed.”
He further questioned the efficacy of the decision, saying, “Who says people are moving around freely in J&K? We were told terrorism would end after Article 370’s abrogation and demonetisation. But every time we turn on the TV, there’s news of fresh encounters. What benefit has actually come from it?”
Azmi also took a jibe at Congress’ internal tussles, noting, “Today, everyone wants to be on the side of power. Even within Congress, there are leaders who now echo the BJP’s views.”
Supporting Telangana CM Revanth Reddy’s call for clarity on Operation Sindoor, Azmi said, “The government should explain what was achieved through this operation, just as it should come clean on the Rafale deal. We could have responded to Pakistan with more strength.”
Azmi’s remarks add to the growing political heat as opposition parties intensify scrutiny over the government's counter-terror and Kashmir strategies.