Pune: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar - while maintaining that one should not indulge in politics at the time of national crisis - has demanded that a special parliament session should be convened at the earliest to discuss the China issue.
Pawar has given this statement during an interview to a national news television channel. "We should not be discussing who went wrong when the country is facing a national security crisis. We should fully support our armed forces," Pawar appealed during the interview.
Pawar said, "Parliament is the most influential and important medium to have a discussion on national security issues. People will know the facts on ground situation if there is discussion in the parliament session. So I think we need to convene a special parliament session to discuss the China issue at the earliest."
Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are criticising the Narendra Modi led central government over its handling of the India-China military clash at the Galwan Valley.
When asked about this, Pawar said, "In the all-party meeting conducted recently, Sonia Gandhi too had supported the government. She feels that the present situation has arised due to some mistakes done by the government in last few years. But this is not the time to discuss who has gone wrong. All Indians should stand firmly behind the Indian soldiers. We should ensure that every inch of our country will remain safe. So instead of making allegations we all should work together."
"I have worked as the Defence Minister. I feel that instead of war, dialogue with China will be way out. For diplomacy to succeed, sufficient political awareness is also necessary. Every Indian soldier is fighting with China at the border and we should instill confidence in every Indian citizen through the healthy debate in the parliament. Hence the government should call for a special session as early as possible," Pawar said.
Commenting on the COVID-19 crisis in Maharashtra, Pawar said, "Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is doing a good job. The three political parties in the Maha Vikas Aaghadi are having good coordination and the government will complete its entire term."
