Have Rahul, Kharge lost control over their party? BJP slams Congress over its' leaders' remarks on Pahalgam attack

New Delhi: Slamming Congress for its leaders' statements about the recent Pahalgam terror attack, the BJP on Monday questioned the principal Opposition that it has no control over its leaders.

Citing Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's statement that there was no need for war with Pakistan, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said that Congress leaders' statements are being exploited by Pakistan to tarnish India’s reputation.

Prasad also named Maharashtra leader Vijay Wadettiwar, Karnataka Excise Minister R B Timmapur, and Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law Robert Vadra, for their controversial comments on the Pahalgam terror attack.

“Do Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have no control over their party? Or were their comments merely formalities, while allowing others to speak freely as they wished?" Prasad questioned here.

"These Congress leaders' statements are being misused in Pakistan. There is a media campaign running... When the nation should speak in a common tone, Congress leaders are demeaning the country in front of Pakistan," Prasad said.

Calling their statements “shameful” and “highly insensitive,” he questioned the purpose behind the comments made by senior Congress leaders, "... What is the purpose of some statements made by certain Congress leaders?... Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said that the war is not inevitable... Pakistan is playing Congress leaders' statements on TV... Karnataka Minister RB Timmapur said that the terrorists did not ask the people about their religion before shooting them... This is shameful... "

He further added that the families of the deceased are weeping, but some opposition leaders are making "shameless statements."

"The families of the deceased are weeping and telling the facts, but the Maharashtra Assembly Leader of Opposition is making such shameless statements which are at the height of insensitivity," he added.

The BJP remarks followed controversy stirred by comments made by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah regarding the terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists.

Siddaramaiah said on Saturday that there was no need for war in response to a question about India’s reaction to the Pahalgam attack. “Peace should prevail across the country. The Centre must strengthen security to protect the people,” he said.

Following these remarks, Pakistan’s media hailed Siddaramaiah, calling him “Pakistan Ratna”, prompting a backlash from the BJP.

Prasad also singled out Wadettiwar and Timmapur and said that they have questioned the account of some of the victims that terrorists identified non-Muslims before shooting them dead.