BJP slams Rahul Gandhi for not acknowledging flydubai pilot Capt Smit Machchar’s bravery

Hyderabad: Telangana BJP leaders on Friday, October 2, criticised Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for not acknowledging the bravery of Capt Smit Machchar, the flydubai pilot who prevented a possible mid-air attack after being stabbed by his co-pilot.

Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy said in a post on X that Capt Smit had risked his life to prevent “another 9/11-like incident”, but Rahul Gandhi had not shared a single post or spoken about him. He said leaders across the world had praised the pilot’s courage.

“Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have not had the decency to acknowledge the heroism of Capt Smit Machchar,” Kishan Reddy said. “What is the issue with Sonia family? Why do they not recognise anything good about India and Indians? Why can they not digest the praise that an Indian received for his bravery?”

Telangana BJP president N Ramchander Rao said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken to Capt Machchar over a video call and appreciated his efforts, while the Leader of Opposition had made no such gesture.

“Rahul Gandhi, the main Opposition leader, did not even speak about this incident, tweet about it, or appreciate our co-pilot. This is where the difference lies. The Prime Minister spoke to him on a video call for a few minutes, appreciated his efforts, and thanked him for saving the lives of the passengers and standing against the pilot who attempted to engage in an act of terrorism,” Rao told reporters.

He added that “nation first” had always been the Prime Minister’s priority and that the party believed in the principle.