Author: Express News Service
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: November 5, 2012
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/rahul-invokes-kargil--stand--sparks-row/1026849/

Rahul Gandhi invited Opposition ire on Sunday by raising the Kargil war to illustrate that while the Congress supported the Opposition on issues of national importance, the BJP opposed the government on everything it was doing for the poor and the backward classes.

The BJP reacted sharply, saying it was the duty of every Indian to support the country in times of crises. “Did they (the Congress) oblige the NDA by supporting us in Kargil war? That is the duty of every patriotic citizen, to support the country’s armed forces and the government at the time of a war,” BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi said.

Rahul made the statement in the course of his speech at Ramlila Maidan. Accusing the Opposition of “negativism”, he said: “We were also in the Opposition. Then the Kargil war happened. We were all together. The Congress stands together in the interest of the country whether we are in government or not. They (BJP) oppose without any thought.”