New Delhi: The Congress Wednesday said it would put its full strength behind the armed forces in protecting the country, lauding them for the cross-border strikes on terror assets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor.
The party’s working committee met at its New Delhi headquarters at a short notice and reiterated its support to the armed forces in its fight against terrorism. Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi said the party extends its “full support” to the forces.
“We held a discussion in the working committee. Our full support to our forces, best wishes to them, much love to them. Complete support from the Congress party and the Congress Working Committee,” he told reporters after the meeting.
At the meeting, the party decided to postpone its programmes—including a workshop on caste census for office-bearers across the country- that were scheduled for the next few days. The decision was made based on a suggestion by Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, said a leader who attended the meeting.
In its statement, the Congress tactfully praised the armed forces, while avoiding any commendation for the government.
“We are proud of our Indian armed forces, who have given a befitting reply by taking bold and decisive action on the terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor. We salute the courage, determination and patriotism of our brave soldiers,” party president Mallikarjun Kharge said, reading out from the statement.
“From the day of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Indian National Congress has firmly stood in solidarity with the armed forces and the government and supported every decisive action against cross-border terrorism. India’s national policy against all forms of terrorism originating from Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir is very clear and consistent. Unity at all levels is most needed to protect the national unity and integrity of our great country, India. The Indian National Congress stands shoulder to shoulder with the brave soldiers of the country,” the Rajya Sabha Leader of the Opposition added.
However, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who was not at the meeting, praised the government too while commending the armed forces for their valour.
“I applaud the government and stand solidly with our armed forces. A set of calibrated, calculated, precise strikes against terror targets. Exactly what i had advocated last week: hit hard, hit smart. I applaud the government and stand solidly with our armed forces. At the same time we have behaved in a manner that would not justify further expansion of the conflict. We have made our point and acted in self-defence. Time for all concerned to act wisely to prevent uncontrolled escalation,” he posted on X.
He also spoke to reporters about the attacks. “The government has taken very great care not to give the other side an opportunity to expand the conflict in the sense that they have attacked only identified terror bases and launchpads,” he said.
“Every one of the places mentioned in this morning’s briefing has been known to host terrorist organisations like the Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Hizbul, the Jaish-e-Mohammad and so on. So we have really got, I think, a very responsible thought through approach in attacking only these places. Attacking them at night also minimises collateral damage for civilians,” he said.
Tharoor, who served as the Minister of State for External Affairs during the UPA government, said Pakistan was “bound to react” to the airstrikes.
“They have already said they will react. They have already also reacted across the Line of Control in terms of artillery shelling. I am sorry to say, some of our civilians on the Kashmir side have lost their lives. It has been a very sad and painful situation. But at the same time, some actions are necessary and some sacrifices have to be made. My heart goes out to those individuals who have been affected by this on the Indian side, but I do believe the government needed to do this, and I think my party has already announced complete solidarity and support to the government,” he said.
In his statement, Kharge also said other members of the INDIA bloc of opposition parties are also fully behind the armed forces. “There are no differences on this issue, we are doing it unitedly…” he said.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
