'Petty attempt to divide us politically deplorable': Shashi Tharoor slams BJP for listing terror attacks during UPA years

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party for invoking a political flavour to the India-Pakistan tensions by listing out the number of terror attacks that took place during UPA years. This came even as the opposition party has offered its support to the government in its efforts against terrorism after the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people on April 22."At a time when the nation stands united as Indians, this petty attempt to divide us politically is deplorable. Our government has learned the futility of past approaches the hard way -- after inviting Pakistan to participate in the investigation of the Pathankot blasts in 2016. It is only then that it took to the path of military action, carefully calibrated and maturely conducted. This advertisement is neither appropriate nor mature. Delete it, please, @BJP4India," Tharoor said in a post on X.BJP posted a video on X criticising the UPA regime for its "passivity" and calling it out on its "futile peace talks" with Pakistan."The message to the enemies is loud and clear. Don't mess with us! Unlike the UPA regime’s passivity, New India has no patience for futile peace talks," it said.Tharoor's reaction comes at a time when his appreciation for the Modi-government in certain foreign policies made headlines fueling rumours of rift with the grand old party. BJP leader Amit Malviya even took a jibe at him calling him PM Modi's fan after he sided with the current government's stance on Russia-Ukraine policy. "Prime Minister Modi needs new haters… Old ones are turning into his fans," Malviya had said.Additionally, his presence at Vizhinjam port inauguration and sharing stage with PM Modi gained attention after the prime minister said that the event would give "sleepless nights to several people" taking a jibe at INDIA bloc.However, BJP leader CR Kesavan criticised Congress saying, "We salute the exemplary courage and unparalleled commitment of our brave armed forces in decisively defeating the cowardly attacks of Pakistan on Bharat and our civilians...But unfortunately, the poisonous political propaganda of the Congress Party and their noxious fake narratives have now been weaponised by the enemy state of Pakistan...After Operation Sindoor commenced, Udit Raj of the Congress Party gave the name Operation Sindoor a communal colour. So the Congress Party is failing the nation again and again. It's high time they stop politicising the army and stop their fake factory of false narratives..."Meanwhile, India and Pakistan have agreed to stop the military action against each other with the former categorically maintaining "a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations"."India and Pakistan have today worked out an understanding on stoppage of firing and military action. India has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It will continue to do so," external affairs minister S Jaishankar said.