“Pakistan Ratna”: Siddaramaiah Clarifies Controversial Remarks on War with Pakistan
Baglore: A day after his “not in favour of war with Pakistan” remark sparked a massive row, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah today clarified that he “never said we should not go to war”.”I never said we should never go to war with Pakistan, I just said war is not the solution. Protection should have been given to the tourists. Whose responsibility is this? I have said there has been a failure,” the Congress leader said.
He added, “There is a failure of intelligence. The government of India didn’t provide ample security. As far as war is concerned, if it’s inevitable, we must go to war.” Earlier, Siddaramaiah sparked a controversy when he said there is no need to wage a war against Pakistan. “Strict security measures must be initiated.
Pakistani media, including prominent news channel Geo News, covered the Karnataka Chief Minister’s remarks, describing them as “voices against war from within India”. Sharing a clip from a Geo News bulletin, Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra posted on X, “Big cheers for Wazar-e-Ala @siddaramaiah from far across the Borders! Pakistani media is all too praise for @siddaramaiah & visibly disappointed at the backlash he is receiving from BJP & others, for his comments against war with Pakistan.”
Referring to the country’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, Mr Vijayendra said, “Nehru was taken around in an open Jeep around the streets of Rawalpindi, as Pakistan was too happy with Nehru for signing the Indus Water Treaty that favoured Pakistan. Is Siddaramaiah going to be the next politician from India to be taken around in open Jeep in Pakistan?”
Mr Siddaramiah’s statements drew criticism from former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP veteran BS Yediyurappa. “At a time when we need to stand united, Siddaramaiah’s statements are highly condemnable and childish. He should understand the reality and not make such comments when the nation is standing together. It doesn’t fare well for his position as Chief Minister. I condemn this. He should apologise to the people of the country and mend his ways,” he said.
“I never said we should never go to war with Pakistan, I just said war is not the solution. Protection should have been given to the tourists. Whose responsibility is this? I have said there has been a failure,” the Congress leader said. He added, “There is a failure of intelligence. The government of India didn’t provide ample security. As far as war is concerned, if it’s inevitable, we must go to war.”