'Not a single word': BJP's Trivedi slams Congress over Smit Machchhar
BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi questions Congress's silence regarding the heroism of Captain Smit Machchhar, accusing them of prioritizing vote-bank politics.
In a scathing attack on the opposition, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sudhanshu Trivedi on Sunday questioned the Congress leadership's conspicuous silence regarding the heroism of Captain Smit Machchhar. The pilot has gained international acclaim for his "indomitable courage" after saving passengers during a flydubai flight incident.
Addressing a press conference, Trivedi highlighted the stark contrast between the global recognition of the pilot and the apparent indifference shown by the Congress party. While the pilot's bravery has been lauded by world leaders, including the Presidents of the United States and Israel, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally reached out to applaud him, the opposition has remained muted.
Accusations of Vote-Bank Politics
Trivedi accused the Congress of prioritizing vote-bank politics over national pride. He pointedly questioned why neither Sonia Gandhi nor Rahul Gandhi had issued a statement, shared a social media post, or expressed even a shred of sympathy for the man who risked his life to save others.
"For India, this is an occasion of great pride, but there are also some occasions that are a matter of shame," Trivedi stated. "Not a single word, not a single post, and not a single press statement has come from the Congress family for Captain Smit Machchhar. This raises a serious question."
The BJP spokesperson drew sharp parallels to the party's past stances on controversial issues. He remarked that while Sonia Gandhi had previously shown emotion regarding the accused in the Batla House encounter, she has shown no compassion for Captain Machchhar. He also targeted Rahul Gandhi, noting that while the leader was vocal about the situation in Gaza in 2023, he has remained silent on this matter of national interest.
A Clash of Ideologies
Trivedi framed the situation as a fundamental clash between two political ideologies. He alleged that while the BJP stands with those who risk their lives for others, the Congress appears to engage in "silent support for terrorism" to protect its political interests. He listed several past instances where the Congress had been critical of judicial actions or sympathetic to controversial figures, asking why such empathy is missing now.
The BJP spokesperson's critique included:
- The silence regarding Captain Machchhar's bravery.
- The perceived fear of losing specific vote banks.
- The contrast between global praise and domestic political silence.
Controversy in Uttar Pradesh Appointments
Expanding his critique, Trivedi also took aim at recent organizational shifts within the Congress unit in Uttar Pradesh. He specifically mentioned the appointment of Imran Masood as working president, recalling controversial remarks made by Masood during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
Furthermore, he slammed the appointment of Aradhana Mishra as UP Congress president. Trivedi cited a video where she allegedly instructed workers to avoid "Bharat Mata ki Jai" slogans, calling it a sign of the party's declining nationalist values. He asserted that citizens would hold Rahul Gandhi accountable for both these leadership choices and the party's continued silence on the heroic acts of Captain Smit Machchhar.