Congress’ Stand on Action Against Pakistan Remains Unclear, Two Party Chief Ministers Voice Contrasting Views

New Delhi: After the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Congress party expressed full support for the government during the all-party meeting. However, following the meeting, various statements from Congress leaders have emerged, revealing a lack of clarity in the party’s stance regarding Pakistan.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has demanded that India undertake a major operation to capture Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). He stated that, just like former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, current Prime Minister Narendra Modi should take decisive action against Pakistan.

On the other hand, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said that there is no need to go to war with Pakistan at this time. He emphasized that peace should be established and that the people of India should feel completely safe. These conflicting statements from two prominent Congress leaders have raised questions about the party’s official position.

Revanth Reddy: India Should Capture PoK

Call for Decisive Action

During a candlelight march in Hyderabad protesting the Pahalgam terror attack, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi must take strong steps against Pakistan.

He asserted that the time for talks was over and now was the time for action. He added that 1.4 billion Indians stand firmly behind PM Modi.

Reddy urged PM Modi to divide Pakistan into two and integrate PoK into India. He stated that this is not the time for politics and assured that the entire country would support the Prime Minister in any decisive action taken against Pakistan.

PM Modi Should Act Like Indira Gandhi

Historical References to Strong Leadership

Reddy also referenced former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s military actions in 1967 and 1971.

He recalled that when China attacked India in 1967, Indira Gandhi had responded with great strength. Then in 1971, she gave Pakistan a resounding defeat, leading to the creation of Bangladesh.

Reddy emphasized that the time had come to respond decisively to Pakistan’s actions, stressing that negotiation was no longer an option.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi also participated in this candlelight march and emphasized the need for unity against terrorism.

Siddaramaiah: This Is Not the Time for War

Emphasis on Peace and Security

In contrast, senior Congress leader and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah struck a different note.

He clearly stated that now was not the time to go to war with Pakistan. Siddaramaiah stressed that while stringent steps must be taken to ensure national security, he and his party were not in favor of war.

He added that peace must be established and people must feel secure. Siddaramaiah called upon the central government to take strict measures to ensure an effective security framework.

His statement came at a time when Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge had declared that the party would stay completely away from partisan politics at such a sensitive time and extend full support to the central government.

Intelligence and Security Apparatus Completely Failed

Security Lapses Highlighted

Three individuals from Karnataka — Manjunath Rao from Shivamogga, Bharat Bhushan from Bengaluru, and Madhusudhan Rao from Andhra Pradesh (residing in Bengaluru) — were also killed in the Pahalgam terror attack.

Referring to the security lapse, Siddaramaiah stated that proper security arrangements should have been made at a tourist destination like Pahalgam.

He recalled that 40 soldiers had previously been martyred in Pulwama, and therefore, the security apparatus should have remained extremely vigilant.

He described the incident as a complete failure of the intelligence and security systems.

Siddaramaiah said that while people had faith that they were safe, the central government failed to provide them with adequate security.

He also leveled a major allegation against PM Modi, accusing him of misleading the public regarding the terrorist attack.