New Delhi, Oct 7 (PTI): BJP today stepped up attack on Rahul Gandhi for his 'dalali' barb on cross-LoC surgical strike, alleging that he has "crossed all limits" with his remarks which "undermine" the armed forces and are an "insult" to their bravery.
Urging parties not to politicise the issue of surgical strikes, BJP President Amit Shah also lashed out at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal saying he was the first among the "anti-India" leaders to raise questions on the army's action.
Terming as "very unfortunate" the Congress leader's use of word "dalali for soldiers", he alleged it depicted the Congress' mindset as as the word is synonymous with the opposition party whose leaders were "embroiled in several scams worth thousands of crores of rupees".
"With his 'khoon ki dalali' remarks, Rahul Gandhi has crossed all limits. I feel his use of words are an insult to the bravery of the armed forces...I agree that the word 'dalali' is part of their mindset as several scams took place during their rule," he said.
Shah said "Gandhi's remarks depict the Congress party's mindset. There is a flaw in the thought process of the Congress leadership. I strongly criticise his remarks. The word dalali should be restricted to Congress party only."
He said the remarks have "angered" the people and have "demoralised" the forces.
In a jibe at the Congress vice-president, Shah said he should concentrate on the "potato factory" for farmers instead as his understanding of the problems of agriculture sector is limited to that only.
Shah was referring to Gandhi's remarks made during his Delhi to Deoria march in Uttar Pradesh.
Responding to a poser on some BJP leaders creating a hype on the strikes, he said some workers were only exhibiting their excitement and questioned why there is was no such excitement in the Congress leadership.
The BJP chief urged all parties not to politicise the issue but said the BJP would take the issue to the masses to build up the confidence of the armed forces.
"We have not claimed the surgical strikes. The army did it. Army and not the politicians should claim credit," he said.
He said by questioning the strikes, Congress is associating itself with the dejection in Pakistan. He asked it to stand with the army and the enthused people of India instead.
Gandhi had yesterday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of "hiding behind the blood of soldiers" and said that he was selling off their sacrifices for political benefit.
"Jinhone Hindustan ke liye surgical strike kiye hain, unke khoon ke peeche aap chhupe hain. Unki aap dalali kar rahe ho. Yeh bilkul galat hai. {You (Modi) are hiding behind the blood of soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir and those who carried out the surgical strikes for India. You are exploiting their sacrifices, which is very wrong}," Gandhi had said.
Targeting Kejriwal, Shah said he has made headlines in Pakistan and supported the neighbouring country which has denied that any strikes took place in its territory.
"We do not believe in the questions raised by some parties, but we believe in the army's actions... it (remarks on strikes) is a very condemnable act and all political parties should desist from doing so," he said.