Patna (Bihar) [India], May 4 (ANI): Union Minister BL Verma on Sunday criticised Congress MP and former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's statement about the 2019 air strike conducted by the Indian armed forces in response to the Pulwama attack, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF soldiers, and said Congress leaders give such statements which are pro-Pakistan.

Verma said they (Congress) are trying to weaken the Army, but under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the Indian Army will give a befitting reply at the right time.

Speaking to the media, Verma said, 'Congress leaders give such statements which are pro-Pakistan. They try to weaken the morale of the army, but the morale of our brave army soldiers is not going to be weakened. Under the leadership of PM Modi, the Indian Army will give a befitting reply at the right time...'

On Friday, former Punjab Chief Minister and Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi stoked controversy by demanding proof of the surgical strikes carried out by the Indian armed forces in Pakistan territory in the past under the BJP government in the centre. Casting doubts over the strikes, the former Punjab CM said that he has always demanded proof.

'To date, I could not find where the (surgical) strike took place, where men were killed at that time, and where this happened in Pakistan. Will we not find out if a bomb is dropped in our country? They say that they did a surgical strike in Pakistan. Nothing had happened. Nowhere was a surgical strike seen. Nobody came to know...I have always demanded (proof).' Channi said at a press conference.

Additionally, Minister Verma commented on the ongoing meetings of the INDI alliance in Bihar, asserting that no matter how many meetings (INDI alliance) they hold, the NDA will secure victory in Bihar under Prime Minister Modi's leadership.

Verma said, 'No matter how many meetings the INDI alliance holds, NDA will win in Bihar under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi... The country is moving forward at the pace of development, and Bihar will also move forward at the same pace.'

A high stakes battle is expected to take place in Bihar, with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA); consisting of Janata Dal (United) led by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, and the Bharatiya Janata Party fighting against the Mahagathbandan; consisting of Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and left parties.

The elections in the state are expected to take place between October-November, however the dates for the polls have not been announced yet. (ANI)