Sikar, May 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today lashed out at Congress for claiming that its government had conducted six surgical strikes between 2008 and 2014. During an election rally in Rajasthan’s Sikar, PM Modi accused the grand old party of telling “lies”. The Prime Minister that earlier the Congress opposed the surgical strikes and now saying “me too”. PM Narendra Modi Throws 'IPL' Jibe at Previous UPA Government, Says 'Modi Can Hold IPL & Elections Together'.

"They initially mocked and rejected surgical strike but people had faith in me, and they stood by me," The PM said. He slammed the Congress for telling "lies" and said the party does surgical strikes only "on paper" on in "video game". A Congress leader had said four months back that three surgical strikes were conducted during Congress' term and now another leader is saying six surgical strikes were carried out by the party, Modi said. "The number increased from three to six in four months. By the time elections are over, this number would increase to 600. What does it matter when the strike is on paper! Congress only speaks lies," he said. Manmohan Singh: Surgical Strikes in UPA Era as Well, But Modi Government Using Army's Valour For Political Gains.

PM Modi's Statement:

#WATCH PM Modi in Sikar,Rajasthan: Congress now claims they carried out 6 surgical strikes. What strikes were these about which the terrorists did not get to know, Pak didn't know, even Indians didn't know.. First they mocked ,then protested and now they say 'me too me too.' pic.twitter.com/fyZuY4Ur4P

— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2019

The grand old party also release a press statement regarding this matter. In the statement, the party said that PM Modi had abused the courage of the armed forces.

Press Release of Congress:

INC COMMUNIQUE

Press release by @rssurjewala, I/C, AICC Communications, on anti-army attitude of Modi government. #JawanVirodhiModi pic.twitter.com/OqOA6fGAeA

— INC Sandesh (@INCSandesh) May 3, 2019

Hitting back at PM Modi, the Congress accused the PM of disrespecting the Indian Armed Forces. The grand old party tweeted, “This is a shining example of Modi's utter disrespect for the Indian Defence Forces. What happened to the martyrs & brave jawans that he uses to beg for votes? Did they not exist before 2014?”

Congress' Tweet:

This is a shining example of Modi's utter disrespect for the Indian Defence Forces. What happened to the martyrs & brave jawans that he uses to beg for votes? Did they not exist before 2014? #JawanVirodhiModi

— Congress (@INCIndia) May 3, 2019

Yesterday, Congress spokesperson Rajeev Shukla during a press conference claimed that the previous UPA governments had conducted six surgical strikes - Bhattal sector in Poonch (June 19, 2008); Sharda sector, across Neelam River Valley, in Kel (August 30-September 1, 2011); Sawan Patra checkpost (January 6, 2013); Nazapir sector (July 27-28, 2013); Neelam Valley (August 6, 2013); and one on December 23, 2013. Shukla further added that the grand old party did not publicise them.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 03, 2019 05:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).