‘Jinki nimbo mirchi laga kar…’: Akhilesh takes ‘Rafale’ jibe at government; warns against China ‘monster’ | India News

NEW DELHI: Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday asked the central government how many Indian aircraft took off under Operation Sindoor, which was carried out against Pakistan to avenge the Pahalgam massacre by ISI-backed terrorists.During debate in the Lok Sabha on India’s cross-border operation, Akhilesh Yadav claimed the war fought was not against Pakistan but China and that the “government cannot hide it no matter how hard they tried”.He said: “China is a monster that will gobble up our land and market”.“We are against war. We aspire for peace at the border. This war was not against Pakistan. No matter how much you try, you cannot sweep it under the rug that you had to fight this war against China. It comes to mind…our finest aircraft, jinki nimbo mirchi laga kar pooja ki gayi thi (the ones that were worshipped with lemons and chillies) — How many of them actually took off?” the Kannauj MP asked the government.Akhilesh Yadav also questioned the timing of the killing of three Pahalgam terrorists in Operation Mahadev on Monday, and invoked the Pulwama attack, asking the government: “Why has the vehicle that carried explosives before the 2019 attack not been seized yet?”“When it was time for support, all the political parties in the nation stood with you. But why did an encounter break out tomorrow? If they understand technology so well, why couldn’t the vehicle carrying explosives before the Pulwama attack be seized? If the BJP truly wants to, it can identify that vehicle using satellite imagery accessible to various ministries,” the SP chief said.Akhilesh also lashed out at the BJP for “politicising” the selection of the delegation members, who were sent abroad to convey India’s stand and brief about Operation Sindoor and its objectives.“It is for political parties to decide the members of the delegation, not you [BJP],” said Akhilesh Yadav.He further asked: What was the surface area of India when this government came to power, and what is it now?“Those who claimed in their election rallies that they would take back PoK and Aksai Chin… I want to ask the government: What was the surface area of India when this government came to power, and what is it now? Five Fingers, Pangong Lake, Galwan Valley, Rezang La. Does the government have answers to these questions?” Akhilesh asked.