Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], May 20 (ANI): Congress leader V Hanumanth Rao on Tuesday hit out at Union Minister and Telangana BJP President G Kishan Reddy over the latter's social media remarks accusing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of working against national interest.

Responding to Reddy's post on X, Rao said it was 'really unfortunate' that such a statement was made about the Gandhi family, which has 'sacrificed for the nation.'

'Kishan Reddy, being both the Telangana BJP President and a Union Minister, has posted on social media that Rahul Gandhi is working against national interest. This is truly unfortunate. He seems to have forgotten the sacrifices made by the Gandhi family for the nation. Rajiv Gandhi, Indira Gandhi -- they always prioritised the country, even at the cost of their lives,' Rao said.

He further said Reddy was playing 'cheap politics' in the name of Operation Sindoor and questioned the BJP's motives.

'Kishan Reddy, you are well aware of the all-party meeting held after the Pahalgam incident, where innocent people were killed. Despite political differences and opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, every party -- including Mamata Banerjee's -- came together and wholeheartedly supported the government once Operation Sindoor was launched,' he said.

Defending Rahul Gandhi's statements, Rao added, 'Now Rahul Gandhi is simply asking how many aircraft were damaged. Is that wrong? Instead, you're playing cheap politics. Militant activities are increasing day by day, and instead of focusing on that, you are trying to politicise the issue.'

He also accused the BJP of manipulating the delegation process. 'A delegation is being sent, and the names were not even suggested by the Congress party. Yet, you are handpicking members and politicising the process in the name of Operation Sindoor. This is nothing but cheap politics,' Rao said.

Earlier, in a strongly worded post, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy had accused Rahul Gandhi of spreading 'Pakistan's falsehoods' and demoralising the armed forces.

'While the entire nation is united in saluting our soldiers for the success of Operation Sindoor, Rahul Gandhi seems to be working against our national interest. Instead of acknowledging PM Modi's strong response that has forced Pakistan on its knees, Rahul Gandhi is busy spreading Pakistan's falsehoods to create doubts amongst the people and demoralise our armed forces,' Reddy said in a post on X.

'It is truly unfortunate that Rahul Gandhi and the Congress continue to echo Pakistan's propaganda -- especially when the entire world has acknowledged India's precision strikes. Can we ever expect Rahul Gandhi and the Congress to rise above petty politics and stand with India? Will he ever change? Or is loyalty to the nation too much to ask from Rahul Gandhi and the Congress Party?' he added.

On Monday, Rahul Gandhi again questioned External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, accusing him of being silent about how many aircraft the Indian Air Force lost during the operation. He said that the nation 'deserves the truth.'

'EAM Jaishankar's silence isn't just telling -- it's damning. So I'll ask again: How many Indian aircraft did we lose because Pakistan knew? This wasn't a lapse. It was a crime. And the nation deserves the truth,' Rahul Gandhi posted on X.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 civilians dead. As part of the operation, Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, eliminating over 100 terrorists linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. (ANI)