Selling Army's valour for political mileage: Cong targets BJP over PM's pic on railway tickets
Bhopal, May 19 (PTI): The Congress on Monday alleged that using Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photo on Railways tickets featuring 'Operation Sindoor' is like selling the valour of the Army as a product for political gains.
Madhya Pradesh Leader of the Opposition, Umang Singhar, posted a ticket with Modi's picture on his X account.
"Even the valour of the Army is being sold like a product for political gains. Here's a fresh example of how the Central government has become advertisement-dependent. Operation Sindoor is being used as a tool for the Prime Minister's promotion on railway tickets," he stated.
"Until now, only BJP leaders from Madhya Pradesh were disrespecting the Army, but now even the Prime Minister has joined their ranks," he alleged.
He was apparently referring to controversies surrounding two ministers from Madhya Pradesh over their remarks on Col Sophiya Qureshi and the armed forces.
The BJP faced a barrage of criticism after state Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shah purportedly termed Colonel Quereshi, the face of media briefings on Operation Sindoor, a 'sister of terrorists', during his public speech.
The controversial remarks not only invited wide-scale condemnation from various sections of society and the Opposition, but also led to the registration of an FIR against the minister on the orders of the High Court.
Even before the political firestorm could die down, MP Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda said on Friday that Indian armed forces and all soldiers are 'natmastak' (bowing down with their heads at the feet) at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving a befitting reply to terrorists and Pakistan.
He claimed his remarks were twisted.
In further embarrassment to the BJP, its first-time MLA from Rewa district, Narendra Prajapati, has claimed that the UN had ordered India to "cease fire" with Pakistan.
"सेना के पराक्रम को भी अपनी राजनीति चमकाने के लिए एक प्रोडक्ट की तरह बेचा जा रहा है"
— Umang Singhar (@UmangSinghar) May 19, 2025
केंद्र सरकार कितनी विज्ञापनजीवी हो चुकी है, इसका ताज़ा उदाहरण देखिए — रेलवे टिकट पर "ऑपरेशन सिंदूर" का इस्तेमाल प्रधानमंत्री के प्रचार के तौर पर किया जा रहा है।
अब तक तो सिर्फ मध्यप्रदेश के… pic.twitter.com/6oMP9IJ912
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Beauty of democracy: Tharoor congratulates BJP on civic body poll win in his constituency
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday, while lauding the win of the UDF in Kerala local bodies elections, also congratulated the BJP for its historic performance in his Thiruvananthapuram constituency, calling it the "beauty of democracy".
In a post on X, he said the people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in his constituency.
"What a day of amazing results in the Kerala local self-government elections! The mandate is clear, and the democratic spirit of the state shines through.
"A huge congratulations to @UDFKerala for a truly impressive win across various local bodies! This is a massive endorsement and a powerful signal ahead of the state legislative elections. Hard work, a strong message and anti-incumbency have all clearly paid off to achieve a much better result than in 2020," Tharoor said.
He said he also acknowledges the historic performance of the BJP in Thiruvananthapuram, and "offer humble congratulations on their significant victory in the city corporation - a strong showing that marks a notable shift in the capital's political landscape."
Tharoor said he campaigned for a change from 45 years of the LDF "misrule", but the voters have ultimately rewarded another party that also sought a clear change in governance.
"That is the beauty of democracy. The people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in my constituency.
"We will continue to work for the betterment of Kerala, advocating for the people's needs and upholding the principles of good governance. Onwards and upwards!" Tharoor, who is the MP from Thiruvananthapuram, said.
The lotus bloomed in the state capital as the BJP-led NDA achieved a resounding win in the polls for the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, snatching it from the CPI(M)-led LDF and marking an end to 45 years of continuous Left rule in the local body.
The win in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation will act as a boost for the BJP in the 2026 Assembly polls, especially in the state capital.
Of the 101 wards in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the BJP won 50, LDF 29, UDF 19 and two wards were won by independent candidates.
The BJP is one seat short of a decisive majority in the corporation.
Besides this, the NDA retained the Palakkad municipality after a close battle with the Congress-led UDF and wrested the Thrippunithura Municipality from the grand old party.
In Thrissur, from where Suresh Gopi won in the Lok Sabha polls last year, the BJP won 18 out of the 46 wards in Kodungallur Municipality, eight in Thrissur Corporation, two each in Guruvayoor and Vadakkancherry municipalities, seven in Kunnamkulam Municipality, six in Irinjalakuda Municipality and one in Chalakudy Municipality.
