Congress recalls Modi's 'grandstanding' in wake of 26/11; cites BJP's ad targeting UPA govt

In the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said this is a time to demonstrate a collective resolve to teach Pakistan a lesson it will never forget.

New Delhi: Countering the BJP’s criticism over Pahalgam terror attack, Congress on Wednesday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recalling the newspaper advertisement given by BJP over 26/11 attack and Modi's press conference in Mumbai two days after the strike.

As its now-withdrawn post that showed a headless image apparently portraying that Modi was "missing" in taking responsibility triggered a backlash, the main opposition party said its Gayab movie inspired post did not mention the Prime Minister and asked why was the BJP insisting that it was him.

Sharing the BJP's newspaper advertisement on November 28, 2008 which said “Brutal Terror Strikes at Will -- Weak Government, Unwilling and Unacceptable, Fight Terror, Vote BJP”, Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh said on Pahalgam attack: “This is a time for unity and solidarity. This is a time for demonstrating a collective resolve to teach Pakistan a lesson it will never forget.”

He said on April 22 itself, the Congress had demanded an all-party meeting but the Prime Minister did not attend it. The Congress Working Committee resolution of April 24 is "absolutely clear" and the Opposition have called for a special session of Parliament, he said.

"But what did the BJP do on Nov 28th, 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. The BJP also issued an awful ad that very day in the newspapers. This is history. Let us now be cohesive at this most sensitive time. The country is waiting,” he said.

Congress Social Media and Digital Platforms Chairperson Supriya Shrinate sought to defend the contentious X post, saying it was inspired by the poster of the film Gayab and there was no mention of Modi in the picture and there were no hands or legs either.

"Then why did the BJP remember Modiji after seeing the word 'missing'? Does the BJP also feel that Modi-ji is missing during this disaster? Who is the one who disappeared from Kashmir and appeared in Bihar? Who is the one who was missing in the all-party meeting? Who is the one who is missing from addressing the nation and is talking about Mann ki Baat? Who is the person who has been missing for six days while one of our BSF soldiers is in the custody of Pakistan. Who is the person who was missing when Narendra Modi was taking oath and 10 devotees were killed at that time?" she said.

She also asked who was the person who remained missing when 90 Indians (soldiers and civilians) were killed in the last 10 months and disappeared during Manipur ethnic violence and when violence broke out in West Bengal.

"Who is the one who instead of teaching a lesson to Pakistan is fighting a war against those who ask questions in his own country? Who is the person whose party made a Ghibli cartoon on the night of the attack and posted it from its official handle? Who is the person whose second official handle had posted a photo of the opposition leader and posted a derogatory comment about the attack the very next day of the attack? Who is the person whose party's social media called Congress leaders and Chief Minister as Pakistani agents?" she further asked.

"Who is the person who kept shooting in Corbett during the Pulwama terror attack and then disappeared? Who is the one who could not tell even after 6 years how RDX came to Pulwama - who is responsible for that attack? Who is the person who was conducting a press conference outside the Taj Hotel after the 26/11 terror attack instead of standing with the government?" she added.