New Delhi, March 22: The Congress party on Friday distanced itself from Sam Pitroda's remark that entire Pakistan cannot be blamed because of few terrorists and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "spreading venom". In a series of tweets, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala reiterated the party's stand on Pulwama terror attack that it was "national security failure" of the Modi government and air strikes was "shining example of valour of our Airforce".

"INC has unequivocally said-: Pulwama Terror Attack was a grave National Security failure of Modi Govt, Balakot Air Strike was a shining example of valour of our Airforce, Pakistan’s terror outfits like JEM, LET & others will never succeed in their evil design," Surjewala tweeted. The Congress leader said the remarks made by Sam Pitroda were his personal views and PM Modi was hiding behind armed forces to distract attention from real issues. Narendra Modi Hits Out at Sam Pitroda For Questioning Balakot Death Toll, Says 'Congress Celebrating Pakistan National Day'.

"Modiji & BJP should stop using an individual’s personal opinion to spread venom! Instead of hiding behind the sacrifice of our armed forces, PM must answer to Nation on- Jobs crisis, Agrarian distress, Demo & GST disasters & Economic downturn," Surjwala wrote in another tweet. He also denounced the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for releasing Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar a decade ago.

Randeep Surjewala's tweets:

"Truth also is - 1. Modiji was busy shooting films in Corbett Park & speech as Nation mourned Pulwama martyrs, 2. Modi Govt was clueless as RDX, MI Carbines & Rocket Launchers were smuggled in to be used in Pulwama, 3. BJP Govt released Masood Azhar & other terrorists," Surjewala said. A political row erupted after Sam Pitroda, a close confidant of Congress President Rahul Gandhi, sought to know the number of terrorists killed in air strikes in Balakot and pitched for talks with Pakistan. Rahul Gandhi Attacks PM Narendra Modi, Asks ‘Who Escorted JeM Chief Masood Azhar From Indian Jail to Pakistan?'.

"I don't know much about (Pulwama) attack, it happens all the time, attack happen in Mumbai Taj hotel and Oberoi hotel. We could have reacted then and sent our planes but that is not the right approach according to me that's not how you deal with the World. Eight people come (referring to Mumbai 26/11 attacks) and do something, you don't jump on the entire nation," the Chairman of the Overseas Indian National Congress told news agency ANI.

Reacting to Pitroda's remarks, PM Modi accused the opposition of insulting defence forces and being the "natural habitat of terror apologists and questioners" of the country's armed forces.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 22, 2019 01:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).