Last Update: February 05, 2023, 17:24 IST
Tharoor said Musharraf was engaged and his strategic thinking was clear. (File Photo/PTI)
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor condoles the demise of former Pakistan President General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sunday condoled the death of former Pakistan President General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf, saying that “once India’s archenemy, he became a real force for peace between 2002 and 2007”. “.
Tharoor’s social media post condoling Musharraf’s death drew sharp reactions from the BJP, which accused the Congress of being “Pakistan-obsessed”.
According to media reports, Musharraf died in a hospital in Dubai on Sunday.
In a tweet, Tharoor said, “‘Pervez Musharraf, former Pakistani President, dies of rare disease’: Once an arch enemy of India, he became a real force for peace in 2002-2007.”
“I met him every year at @un in those days and found him smart, engaging and clear in his strategic thinking. RIP,” said the former Minister of State for External Affairs.
Tagging Tharoor’s tweet, BJP spokesperson Shahzad Poonawalla said, “Pervez Musharraf – architect of Kargil, dictator, accused of heinous crimes – who considered Taliban and Osama as ‘brothers’ and ‘heroes’ – who buried the bodies of his own dead.” Even refused to withdraw, Congress is hailing the soldiers! Are you surprised? Again, Congress’s Pakism! At one time Musharraf was hailed Rahul Gandhi Perhaps that is what endears the Congress to Musharraf as a gentleman? They said.
“From 370 to surgical strike to Balakot doubting Congress toeing Pak line and praising Musharraf but calling our own chief a ‘street goon’..this is Congress!!” Poonawalla said.
In another tweet, the BJP leader shared an old video of Musharraf talking about his son being invited for lunch by Rahul Gandhi and Musharraf’s wife, brother and son being invited for lunch by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Stayed when he was on Delhi tour. Tenure as the President of Pakistan.
Pervez Musharraf who praised Osama Bin Laden and the Taliban also praised Rahul Gandhi – calling him a gentleman and pledging his support!! Perhaps this is the reason why Shashi Tharoor is praising the architect of Kargil and the supporter of terrorism!! Ahh,” Poonawalla said in his tweet, tagging the video.
Musharraf, 79, was suffering from amyloidosis, a rare disease caused by a build-up of abnormal proteins called amyloid in organs and tissues throughout the body, The Express Tribune reported.
Musharraf was born on August 11, 1943 in Delhi.
He assumed the position of Chief Executive following the imposition of martial law in the country in 1999 and served as the President of Pakistan from 2001 to 2008.
Mehbooba Mufti, former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and chairperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said in her condolence that Musharraf was perhaps the only Pakistani general who tried to resolve the Kashmir issue.
“Heartfelt condolences. Perhaps the only Pakistani general who really tried to address the Kashmir issue. He wanted an acceptable solution as per the wishes of the people of J&K India and Pak. Although the Government of India has reversed all the CBMs initiated by him and Vajpayee ji, the ceasefire remains in place.”
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)