Revanth Reddy Asks PM Modi How Many Rafale Jets Shot Down, BJP Hits Back With ‘Miss World Photo-Op’ Jibe
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has ignited a political firestorm after questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the number of Rafale fighter jets reportedly shot down during India’s military engagement in Operation Sindoor. His remarks, delivered during the ‘Jai Hind’ rally in Hyderabad, have drawn sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused Reddy and the Congress party of undermining national security.
Addressing the gathering on Thursday, Reddy challenged Modi to disclose how many Rafale jets were lost to Pakistan during the military operation. His provocative comments were interpreted as a direct challenge not only to the Prime Minister but also to the credibility of India’s defense forces.
“Modi Must Answer the Nation”
“The soldiers from this very Secunderabad Cantonment participated in the war,” Reddy said, referring to Operation Sindoor. “The aircrafts brought in by Modi—Rafale jets—were shot down by Pakistan. Why is there no transparency? How many were lost? Modi should answer to the 140 crore citizens of India,” he added, according to news agency PTI.
Reddy also questioned the Prime Minister’s strategy, asking why no all-party meeting was convened prior to the conclusion of military operations with Pakistan, especially when one was held before the conflict began.
Accusations of Favoritism and Lack of Results
The Telangana CM went further, accusing the Modi government of awarding defense contracts worth thousands of crores to associates, who then facilitated the Rafale jet deals. He also alleged the Prime Minister failed to achieve critical national security objectives, including reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and separating Balochistan from Pakistan.
Referencing former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims that he persuaded India to halt its military campaign, Reddy remarked, “We don’t know who threatened whom, or who gave in. All of a sudden, Trump claimed he stopped the war.”
Comparison to Indira Gandhi’s Leadership
Highlighting past Congress leadership, Reddy drew a contrast between Modi and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, claiming she stood up to global pressure and decisively led India during the 1967 China conflict and the 1971 war with Pakistan, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh.
“She sent out a message to the world—if anyone dares to mess with India, they’ll be dealt with. Despite threats from the U.S., she never backed down. That’s the kind of leadership we once had,” he said.
BJP’s Stern Rebuttal: “Stick to Miss World Photo Ops”
In response, the BJP issued a scathing rebuttal. The party’s Telangana unit accused Revanth Reddy of disrespecting the armed forces and promoting a narrative aligned with Pakistan. A tweet from BJP Telangana claimed that Reddy even referred to Pakistan as “Mana Pakistan” (Our Pakistan), a term the party says signals allegiance to the enemy’s viewpoint.
“From questioning surgical strikes and the Balakot airstrike to mocking Agnipath and the armed forces—Congress has made undermining India’s defense a habit. This is in their DNA,” the BJP post said. “Stick to Miss World photo ops, Revanth. National security isn’t your ramp. When the nation wins, Congress sulks.”
Polarized Political Atmosphere
The exchange between the Telangana CM and the BJP reflects an increasingly polarized political atmosphere, particularly with national elections drawing near. Reddy’s remarks appear to target not just the BJP’s handling of defense but also its perceived lack of transparency and accountability in military affairs. On the other hand, the BJP has responded with nationalistic fervor, accusing Congress of playing into enemy hands.
Support and Criticism from Netizens
On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), reactions to Reddy’s remarks were divided. Some users lauded him for demanding accountability from the highest offices in government. “He’s asking the right questions. Taxpayers deserve to know what happened to those expensive Rafales,” one user wrote.
However, others condemned the remarks as irresponsible and demoralizing to the armed forces. “Bringing up Rafale losses in public, without verified information, only boosts enemy propaganda. Shameful,” another tweet read.
Congress Clarifies: Support for Forces Intact
In an effort to distance itself from controversy, Congress leadership has reiterated that the party stands firmly behind India’s defense personnel. “When it comes to national security, political lines blur. We support the armed forces unequivocally,” said Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, aligning with Reddy’s earlier remark that senior Congress leaders have always supported national interest during times of war.
The Bigger Picture
As the fallout from Revanth Reddy’s remarks continues, it underscores a broader tension between transparency and national security. His comments raise crucial questions: How much should the public know about defense operations? And where should the line be drawn between democratic accountability and military secrecy?
While BJP seeks to convert the controversy into an indictment of Congress’s patriotism, Reddy and his supporters view it as a necessary reckoning with the current regime’s defense policy and communication strategy.
In the end, the debate reveals the deep fault lines in Indian politics—where questions of war, peace, and patriotism are as politically potent as they are emotionally charged.
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