The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is organizing a training camp in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal for its leaders to enhance their speaking skills and not err, a development coming on the heels of but which the party insists is not related to recent controversy surrounding two ministers’ statements regarding Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and the country’s armed forces.
BJP Denies Link Between Camp and Controversial Remarks
The state BJP averred the training programme was already scheduled and forms part of normal party activities.
“It has nothing to do with recent statements of BJP leaders. Such events are held routinely, and nothing more should be read into it,” PTI news agency quoted, MP BJP spokesperson as saying.
He announced that the training camp will take place in June, and its timings will be released shortly.
Controversy Over Remarks on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi
The BJP was criticized after state tribal affairs minister Vijay Shah reportedly referred to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who addressed the media during Operation Sindoor, as a “sister of terrorists” in a public address.
His comments resulted in a severe backlash by the Opposition and civil society and resulted in an order by the High Court for an FIR against him.
Even before the matter rested, MP deputy chief minister Jagdish Devda stated Indian soldiers and armed forces are “natmastak” (bowing) to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for having confronted Pakistan and terrorists. Devda later stated that he meant what he said.
BJP Defends Training as Part of Routine Activities
Meanwhile, Chaturvedi added, “Prashikshan and Pratishthan (Training and Organisation) is our work culture. They are held regularly and routinely.”
Another top BJP leader further added that another such camp was organized before the 2023 assembly elections in Sehore district. Union Ministers, MPs, MLAs, and district presidents had all participated.
He asserted that one was to make new MLAs and leaders aware of the BJP’s perceptions and intentions, and the other was to assist them in enhancing public interaction.
He went on to say that higher leaders would guide ministers, MLAs, and others at the Bhopal training camp.
Operation Sindoor: India’s Retaliation Against Pakistan
India carried out targeted attacks on terror camps on May 7, following the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike, in which 26 civilians were killed. Pakistan attempted to target Indian military installations on May 8, 9 and 10.
India retaliated in a big way, destroying major Pakistani military installations such as airbases, defense mechanisms, control rooms, and radar stations.
Foreign secretary Vikram Misri on May 10 announced that the two nations had agreed to cease all military activity by land, sea, and air immediately.