After Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India entered elite space club after successfully testing anti-satellite weapon A-SAT, many political leaders came up with quick response on the announcement. While many BJP leaders applauded PM for the Mission Shakti, leaders of other parties called it as mere election propaganda. PM announced that India had demonstrated anti-satellite missile capability by shooting down a live satellite, describing it as a rare achievement that puts the country in an exclusive club of space super powers.
PM Modi’s biggest political rival, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi wished PM “happy World Theatre Day” after his address to the nation. Gandhi also congratulated the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO). “Well done DRDO, extremely proud of your work. I would also like to wish the PM a very happy World Theatre Day,” he said on Twitter.
Akhilesh took a dig at PM Modi and said that he diverted nation’s attention from important issues. “Today @narendramodi got himself an hour of free TV & divert(ed) nation’s attention away from issues on ground #Unemployment #RuralCrisis & #WomensSecurity by pointing at the sky,” he tweeted. Akhilesh also said, “Congratulations @drdo_india & @isro this success belongs to you. Thank you for making India safer.”
BSP chief Mayawati accused PM Narendra Modi of playing politics over anti-satellite missile capability, saying that EC must take note of the matter.
Congress official Twitter handle congratulated DRDO and govt for the achievement but also mentioned that DRDO was formed under Jawaharlal Nehru’s govt. We congratulate @isro @DRDO_India & the Govt on the latest achievement for India. The Indian Space Programme established in 1962 by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru & the Indian Space Research Organisation set up under Smt. Indira Gandhi has always made India proud through its achievements.
On the other hand, BJP leaders were in all praise for PM Modi and the Modi government over the accomplishment. BJP president Amit Shah called the achievement has giant leap in India’s national security.
“It is a proud moment for all Indians. I congratulate all the scientists involved with #MissionShakti and thank Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi for ensuring that India continues to safeguard the interest of its people and secures them on all fronts.
“Decisive leadership leads to a stronger Nation. With #MissionShakti, India has registered its presence among the elite space powers. A-SAT, an anti-satellite weapon, which successfully targeted a live satellite on a low earth orbit, is a giant leap in India’s national security,” Shah tweeted.
Applauding the achievement, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said the country is on its way to become not only a super economic power, but also a super science power under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Echoing similar sentiments, BJP’s ally SAD leader Harsimrat Badal said, “Mission Shakti’, a great achievement and this time a surgical strike in Space. We are now an elite space power. Congratulations Indian Scientists and Prime Minister.”
BJP’s general secretary Arun Singh said the main purpose of India’s work in the space sector is the country’s security, economic development and technological progress. ‘Mission Shakti is an important step towards securing these dreams, he said.
With inputs from Agencies
