Maharashtra Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar initially questioned the cost of using missiles to shoot down Pakistani drones. He has since retracted his statement, clarifying that it did not reflect his personal opinion.
Maharashtra News: Senior Maharashtra Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar is again in the spotlight due to a controversial statement. On Wednesday, he made remarks about 'Operation Sindur' that sparked a furor. He claimed that India used ₹1.5 million missiles to shoot down drones worth ₹15,000 sent by Pakistan. Following significant criticism, Wadettiwar has backtracked on his statement.
“I didn’t say it, I only repeated a discussion”
Speaking to the media in Nagpur on Thursday, Wadettiwar clarified that the statement didn't represent his personal views. He stated, “I was merely repeating what a defense expert had said. It wasn't my statement. The media presented the matter incompletely and distorted it.”
He further added that questioning the government is not a crime. “Can we not question the government? Has questioning become treason?” Wadettiwar retorted.
What did Wadettiwar say earlier?
On Wednesday, in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Wadettiwar, the leader of the Congress Legislature Party, raised questions about the expenditure of 'Operation Sindur'. He claimed that Pakistan sent inexpensive, Chinese drones costing between ₹5,000 and ₹15,000, which India countered with ₹1.5 million missiles. He attributed this to a Chinese strategy, stating that it resulted in significant financial losses for India. However, he also added that his remarks were based on reports and discussions, and he didn't possess complete information.
“Questioning the government is not wrong”
In his clarification on Thursday, Wadettiwar stated that questioning the government is a citizen's right in a democracy. He emphasized that questioning losses incurred by the nation or the martyrdom of soldiers is in the nation's interest, not against it. He said, “If questioning is a crime, then what is the meaning of democracy?”
Fadnavis launches a sharp attack
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reacted sharply to Wadettiwar's statement. He said that it's difficult to reason with those lacking patriotism. Fadnavis stated, “Such people are foolish. They don't even understand the difference between drones used in agriculture and fighter drones used in warfare.”
He further added that Congress leaders consistently make irresponsible statements on issues related to national security, purely for political gain.
Political debate under the guise of ‘Operation Sindur’
This controversy erupted after the Indian Army launched retaliatory action against terrorists under 'Operation Sindur'. Reports emerged about Pakistan sending inexpensive drones, which India was countering with significantly more expensive missiles. This led to opposition questioning the government, with Wadettiwar's statement attracting the most attention.
Blaming the media
In his clarification, Wadettiwar repeatedly emphasized that the media did not present his statement in the correct context. He said, “You people present half the story, why don't you show the whole thing? If I am repeating what an expert said, does that become my opinion?”
Congress also embarrassed
Wadettiwar's statement has also caused discomfort within the Congress party. Already under fire due to Kharge's "petty war" statement, Wadettiwar's comments delivered another blow. While his retraction has somewhat calmed the situation, the opposition doesn't seem ready to let go of this issue easily.
