How Operation Sindoor brought parties usually at loggerheads to show rare unity

medium nocaption120968399Politicians of different parties are usually at each other’s throats. But in a rare moment of solidarity, leaders across party lines on Wednesday praised the armed forces for missile attacks on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir under 'Operation Sindoor', posting patriotic slogans of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Jai Hind' on their social media handles.Congress: “Proud of our Indian Armed Forces’Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said India has an unflinching national policy against all forms of terrorism emanating from Pakistan and PoK."We are extremely proud of our Indian Armed Forces who have struck terror camps in Pakistan and PoK. We applaud their resolute resolve and courage…since the day of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian National Congress has categorically stood with the armed forces and the government to take any decisive action against cross-border terror," he said in a post on X."National unity and solidarity is the need of the hour and the Indian National Congress stands with our Armed Forces. Our leaders have shown the path in the past, and national interest is supreme for us," Kharge said using the hashtag #OperationSindoor.Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi posted on X, "Proud of our Armed Forces. Jai Hind!"In a post in Hindi on X, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, “We are extremely proud of our army. Our brave soldiers protect our freedom and integrity…May God protect them and give them immense strength to face challenges with patience and bravery,” she said. medium120968473Mamata keeps it shortWest Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee simply posted on social media 'Jai Hind, Jai India'.The post, which was widely interpreted as support for the nation's armed forces, was consistent with Banerjee’s earlier statement that her party, Trinamool Congress, would support the Centre in actions against terror attacks on Indian soil.Her party’s state general secretary Kunal Ghosh was more effusive. "Let Team India keep going, let Team India win. The entire country is on the side of jawans. Rest of the words will be spoken later. Jai Hind," he said.AAP: ‘140 crore Indians stand with the Indian Army…’Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal hailed the Indian Army for the successful execution of 'Operation Sindoor'."We are proud of the Indian Army and our brave soldiers. 140 crore Indians stand with the Indian Army in this fight against terrorism. The courage of the Indian Army is the faith of every citizen. We are all together...united against terrorism. Hail India," Kejriwal said. medium nocaption120968652Sharad Pawar: ‘Army protects nation’s sovereignty by facing bullets on its chest’Former Union defence minister and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) president Sharad Pawar said, “Every Indian has full faith in the Indian Army, which protects the nation’s sovereignty by facing bullets on its chest. Today, proving that faith, the Indian Air Force avenged the terrorist attack in Pahalgam with successful air strikes on nine terrorist locations at around 1.30am. These precise and planned strikes targeted terrorist bases without harming Pakistani civilians or military positions. The entire country is proud of this heroic feat. Heartfelt congratulations to all Indian soldiers who upheld our sovereignty and gave a befitting reply to the Pahalgam attack. Jai Hind!”Swaraj Party: “Appreciate considerable restraint...”The Yogendra Yadav-headed Swaraj India said it “supports India’s ‘focused, measured and non-escalatory’ action against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan. We appreciate that our armed forces exercised ‘considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution’ in keeping with our policy of non-aggression while exercising our right to self defence in the face of cross border terrorism. We hope and expect that the people of Pakistan and the World Community would stop the Pakistani rulers and its army from sponsoring terror attacks in India.“'When the roots are attacked, branches will eventually fall'Other leaders, including those from the Left, reacted in similar fashion. Communist Party of India (CPI) in a statement said, "Given the grave provocation and loss of innocent lives, CPI believes that India had little choice but to respond firmly against the sources of such terrorism."The CPI(M) urged the government to maintain diplomatic and strategic pressure on Pakistan to ensure accountability. "...pressure should be continued on Pakistan to hand over those responsible for the massacre of innocent people in Pahalgam and to ensure that no terrorist camps operate from its territory. The Indian government should ensure that the unity of the people and integrity of the country are protected," it said.LJP (Ram Vilas) leader and Union minister Chirag Paswan said, "Satyamev Jayate. Jai Hind ki Sena."RJD leaders hailed the armed forces for their befitting response to Pakistan-based terrorists, greeting them with "Bharatiya Sena Zindabad. Jai Hind."Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav said, "The Samajwadi party is with the government in their decisions against terrorism. When the roots are attacked, the branches will eventually fall. We have to remain alert since we can't afford to make a mistake in protecting our borders and the country. We have full faith in our armed forces. They are the ones protecting us.." Top leaders of major political parties of Tamil Nadu led by DMK president and chief minister MK Stalin also praised the army for its operation. In a post on 'X,' Stalin said: "Tamil Nadu stands with the Indian Army against terrorism. With our Army, for our nation. Tamil Nadu stands resolute." The government has convened an all-party meeting on Thursday to brief the political parties on the steps taken by it. The all-party meeting will be held at 11am in the Parliament Library Building in New Delhi.TOI+ Operation Sindoor coverage hereInputs from PTI