BJP commends Mukherjee's statement

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday commended the statement by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee in Parliament on the Kargil War of 1999, saying that this has brought out the facts and that 'he has stood by the armed forces by placing in correct perspective all the facts relating to the war'.

Describing the war as a 'glorious chapter in India's military history' BJP leader in Rajya Sabha Jaswant Singh and National Democratic Alliance Convenor George Fernandes said, "The defence minister's statement in both Houses of Parliament has made clear all the doubts regarding Operation Vijay. What the defence minister has said makes us happy and is a morale booster for the defence forces who fought in the war."

Also See: Kargil, 5 years on
Ex-air marshal returns army fire

Singh said this was an occasion for self-introspection as to how the government of the day should have dealt with the situation.

Also Read 'NDA took 18 days to OK air strikes in Kargil' IAF use delayed to prevent escalation: Pranab

Fernandes said the report quoted in the media was an 'inhouse' document of the army and was more for military lessons for those undergoing training. "The contents are confidential in nature and any disclosure of this is a cognisable offence under the Official Secrets Act. Whoever has given out this report has done so with intention of carrying out a malicious campaign," he said.

Fernandes, who was carrying a copy of the report, said it was presented to him as a 'personal copy' by the then army chief.

Repeatedly asked that it was given to him in his capacity as Defence Minister, he replied, "It was given by the then army chief with best wishes to me personally."