'Betrayal of national sentiments': Opposition slams PM's Video-Conference

New Delhi, Feb 27: Opposition leaders on Thursday lashed out at the BJP for going ahead with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to party workers through a mega video-conference amid escalating tension with Pakistan.

As part of the 'Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot' programme, Prime Minister Modi interacted with over 1 crore BJP workers and volunteers from 15,000 locations across the country in what the party claims is the "world's largest video conference".

The BJP members started showing their support by using the hashtag #MeraBoothSabseMazboot.

भाजपा कार्यकर्ता की संस्कृति एकदम अलग होती है।

विनम्रता, सादगी, सरलता और सहजता उसकी पहचान है। यहां फैसले का आधार कार्यकर्ताओं का फीडबैक होता है।

हमारी पार्टी को असली बल अपने कार्यकर्ताओं से मिलता है: पीएम #MeraBoothSabseMazboot pic.twitter.com/fOuYQNrbir

— BJP (@BJP4India) February 28, 2019

Congress took to Twitter and responded with #MeraJawanSabseMajboot, turning BJP's hashtag into one for IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured by Pakistan on Wednesday.

Glaring case of misplaced priorities!

132 Cr Indians pray for safe & immediate return of India’s brave-heart Wing Comm, Abhinandan but Modiji desperate only for re-election.

Congress cancelled its imp CWC & Rally today.

Pradhan Sevak hell-bent on creating a Video Conf. record! pic.twitter.com/ulIMzA35Xv

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) February 28, 2019

You are wrong. The message has emerged from the top. Amit Shah has been campaigning relentlessly asking for votes himself. He is the #BJP President. And #Modi is hopping around playing politics from official functions. #MeraJhoothSabseMazboot #MeraJawanSabseMajboot https://t.co/sV2f05FNQu

— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) February 28, 2019

It is shameful that while India awaits the return of Wing Commander Abhinandan, our Prime Time PM cannot stop campaigning even for a few minutes. We stand with our soldiers & will continue to question the Modi Govt on their apathy. #MeraJawanSabseMajboot

— Congress (@INCIndia) February 28, 2019

सेनाएँ सीमा संभाल रही है,

और...

प्रधान सेवक बूथ संभाल रहा है!

ये हैं सत्ता के सिपाही!#बूथ_पहले_या_देश#MeraJawaanSabseMajboot pic.twitter.com/TWz0nwZHOR

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) February 28, 2019

Former UP CM Mayawati has slammed the prime minister for "trying to serve political interest" at a time when "India is facing hostility of war and country needs firm leadership".

At a time when India is facing hostility of war and country needs firm leadership, PM Nrendra Modi instead of concentrating on the matters of national security trying to serve political interest by addressing his BJP workers is ridiculous besides betrayal of national sentiments.

— Mayawati (@Mayawati) February 28, 2019

Irked by the video-conference, former Jammu and Kashmir CM took a dig at the prime minister and said, "PM Modi continuing with his Election campaign is the surest sign Wing Commander Abhinandan will be back in the next 24-48 hours."

PM Modi continuing with his #Elections2019 campaign is the surest sign #WingCommanderAbhinandan will be back in the next 24-48 hours. Either that or he really just couldn’t care less.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 28, 2019

In a tweet, the SP chief said, "When the entire nation is standing along with the government as an Indian rising above politics, BJP is going to make a record of contact with booth level workers. ..even the BJP supporters are ashamed of this."

"The situation could be very bad but this suited-booted BJP will continue with its festivities...condemnable," he said.

Even when our pilot is missing, everything — even national security — is seen through the lens of public relations and votes.

The BJP only knows the politics of distraction, lies, branding and marketing.

Those who worship power will only be consumed by it. #BringHimHome

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) February 28, 2019

An IAF pilot was captured by Pakistan after an air combat Wednesday during which the two sides said they shot down each other's warplanes that followed an unsuccessful attempt to target Indian military installations in retaliatory strikes.