"Balasaheb would've thanked PM Modi, army for Operation Sindoor": Shehzad Poonawalla slams opposition

While speaking to ANI in Delhi, Poonawalla said, "If Balasaheb Thackeray had been here, he would not only have thanked the armed forces but also PM Modi for the success of Operation Sindoor. A new normal has been established. It was for the first time that terror hotspots were destroyed and terrorists were killed by entering a nuclear country."

He criticised the Shiv Sena (UBT), saying, "Those who do politics in the name of Balasaheb Thackeray behave like Pakistani rangers. Now, they call this diplomatic strike to unravel Pakistan's face, a tour and travel..."

Shehzad Poonawalla made his remarks after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the Centre's plan to send all-party delegations abroad to promote India's stand against cross-border terrorism and Operation Sindoor.

Meanwhile, commenting on Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's remarks, Poonawalla said, "Definitely the last 11 years would not have been less than a nightmare for Mallikarjun Kharge and Jairam Ramesh. It is not less than a nightmare for those who support terrorism, corruption, dynasty and appeasement. But the nation has seen how we have established a new normal in the last 11 years..."

Earlier, on Monday, addressing a public gathering in Maharashtra's Nanded district, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that Operation Sindoor has sent a message to the whole world that no one should trouble the Indian army, its people, or its border; otherwise, they will have to face the consequences.

Speaking about the all-party delegation that is visiting multiple countries across the world to put forward India's position against terrorism, Shah mentioned that the diplomatic effort will "unmask Pakistan's face of terrorism."

"After Operation Sindoor, PM Modi decided that it is the nation's matter. So, the all-party delegation of MPs will visit different countries and unmask Pakistan's face of terrorism. Then, all-party delegations were formed," he said.

While also hitting out at Shiv Sena (UBT), he mentioned that while its leaders criticised the delegation, the founder of the party, Balasaheb Thackeray, would have praised the delegation. He said, "Then, all-party delegations were formed. Later, a top leader of Shiv Sena (UBT) commented on the delegation and said, 'Yeh kiski baraat jaa rahi hai?' Shiv Sena (UBT) used to be the party of Balasaheb Thackeray. If Balasaheb had been here, he would have appreciated PM Modi for Operation Sindoor."

While also taking a jibe at Congress, Shah added that the Narendra Modi-led government has replied with multiple strikes on Pakistan, with the most recent being Operation Sindoor. (ANI)