Congress critiques Modi’s 26/11 response, highlights BJP’s controversial ad targeting UPA government

The Congress party has reignited political tensions by recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s actions during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and criticizing the BJP’s controversial advertisement targeting the UPA government at the time. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh highlighted Modi’s “grandstanding” as Gujarat Chief Minister, when he addressed the media in Mumbai just two days after the attacks began, while commandos were still battling terrorists inside the Taj Hotel.

Ramesh also pointed out the BJP’s newspaper advertisement from November 28, 2008, which read, “Brutal terror strikes at will. Weak government — unwilling and incapable.” He described the ad as “awful” and accused the BJP of exploiting a national tragedy for political gain. The Congress leader emphasized the need for unity and collective resolve in the wake of recent terror incidents, such as the Pahalgam attack on April 22, which claimed 26 lives.

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) has called for a special session of Parliament to discuss the Pahalgam attack and address intelligence failures and security lapses. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi have expressed support for the government’s actions against Pakistan-backed terrorism. However, the controversy surrounding Modi’s past actions and the BJP’s ad has added fuel to the ongoing political discourse.

This development comes amid heightened political rhetoric, with the Congress recently facing backlash for a social media post criticizing Modi’s leadership during crises. The post, which depicted Modi as “missing in action,” was later deleted following criticism from the BJP. The Congress has urged its leaders to maintain decorum and focus on unity during sensitive times. The incident underscores the challenges of navigating political narratives while addressing national security concerns.