Cong Recalls Modi’s ‘Grandstanding’, BJP Advt In Wake Of 26/11

On Wednesday, the Congress party recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s controversial media address as Gujarat’s chief minister shortly after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, criticizing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its “awful” advertisement targeting the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government during that crisis. Congress leaders emphasized the need for unity in the face of recent terror attacks, particularly the one in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals, mostly tourists.

Jairam Ramesh, Congress MP and general-secretary for communications, stated, “This is a time to demonstrate a collective resolve to teach Pakistan a lesson it will never forget.” He highlighted that the Indian National Congress had called for an all-party meeting on the night of the Pahalgam attack, which took place two days later. However, he noted that Prime Minister Modi did not attend the meeting. Ramesh pointed out, “The Congress Working Committee (CWC) resolution of 24 April is absolutely clear,” indicating the party’s stance on the issue.

Ramesh further criticized the BJP’s actions following the 2008 Mumbai attacks, recalling, “What did the BJP do on 28 November 2008 — just two days after the deadly terror attacks began in Mumbai? In a brazenly unprecedented move, the then Gujarat CM went to Mumbai and, in an act of grandstanding, addressed the media.”

He also referenced a controversial advertisement released by the BJP on the same day, which read, “Brutal terror strikes at will. Weak government — unwilling and incapable.” Ramesh urged, “This is history. Let us now be cohesive at this most sensitive time. The country is waiting.”

The Congress party’s remarks came in response to a recent social media post that attempted to portray PM Modi as a leader absent during a crisis. This post was met with backlash from the BJP, which labeled it as a ‘sar tan se juda’ imagery and an attempt to undermine India. Following the criticism, the Congress deleted the post and issued a directive to its leaders to adhere to party lines regarding the Pahalgam attack or face disciplinary action.

In a letter addressed to state unit chiefs, Congress leaders, and various party officials, general-secretary K.C. Venugopal emphasized the importance of discipline and consistency in public communication. He urged party members to “exercise utmost discipline and consistency in public communication and not speak out of place on the Pahalgam incident.”

The CWC has condemned the Pahalgam attack, which they assert was masterminded by Pakistan, labeling it a direct assault on the values of the republic. The committee has called for a thorough examination of intelligence failures and security lapses that may have contributed to the tragedy. Both Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi have expressed their support for the government’s actions in response to the attack.

Kharge and Gandhi have also reached out to Prime Minister Modi, urging him to convene a special session of Parliament to address the situation. Several opposition MPs have echoed this demand, reflecting widespread public grief and outrage following the attack. The Congress party’s call for unity and collective action underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for a cohesive response to terrorism in India.