Opposition questions US-brokered ceasefire, demands special Parliament session

New Delhi: Opposition on Saturday welcomed the ceasefire between India and Pakistan but questioned the “unprecedented announcements” by the United States about mediation and talks at a “neutral venue”, in what is seen as its intention to put the Modi government on the line of fire over the developments.

Congress was quick to recall Indira Gandhi’s leadership during the Bangladesh War with its leaders highlighting how she withstood the US pressure during the Bangladesh Liberation War and demanded an all-party meeting followed by a special session of Parliament, as “questions that India wants to ask can only be answered” through such a session.

While there is relief across parties about the easing of tension following the launch of ‘Operation Sindoor’, most of the Opposition leaders expressed surprise at US President Donald Trump making the announcement and Secretary of State Marco Rubio giving a glimpse of what went behind the scenes and not India or Pakistan.

Senior Opposition leaders saw Trump jumping the queue to announce the ceasefire with comments like India and Pakistan “using common sense and great intelligence” and Rubio mentioning talks at a “neutral venue” as a “setback for India and especially for Modi”, while New Delhi has been insisting no interference of a third party with respect to Pakistan.

Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh said the need for an all-party meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a special session was needed more than ever before “in view of the unprecedented announcements from Washington DC”.

He said the all-party meeting with PM Modi in chair is needed to take political parties into confidence while a special session of Parliament should be called to discuss the events of the last 18 days, beginning with the “brutal Pahalgam terror attacks and the way forward, and to demonstrate a collective resolve”.

Congress’ official ‘X’ handle posted an image of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and a caption “courage, conviction and strength”.

Party’s Media and Publicity Department Chairman Pawan Khera posted, “India misses Indira” even as leaders indicated that they would be highlighting how she withstood the US pressure during the Bangladesh Liberation War.

Sharing a letter Indira wrote to then US President Richard during Bangladesh war four days before Pakistan's surrender, Ramesh said, "She ensured that there was no 'neutral site' which has now been agreed to."

Senior RJD MP Manoj K Jha told DH that it was “unsettling” for him to see Trump making the announcement instead of the Indian Prime Minister, as he demanded a special session of Parliament. “India’s image has suffered a hit with Trump’s comments on mediation and other things,” he said.

CPI General Secretary D Raja welcomed the ceasefire between the two countries and asked Modi to provide all details. “We believe India and Pakistan have the maturity to address their issues bilaterally, without interference by Trump and the US...We don’t know about the nature of mediation. Modi should explain,” Raja told DH.

CPI(ML)L General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said, “so India under Modi now needs ‘a long night of American mediation’ to agree to a ceasefire after three days of growing concern in the country about the consequences of a full-scale India-Pakistan military conflict.”

CPI(M) 'positively' noted the announcement of ceasefire and said people of both the countries deserve peace for their progress and prosperity. “We earnestly hope that the two countries build on this and ensure that the people do not have to suffer from the evil of terrorism. Steps should be taken to ensure that there is no further confrontation,” it said.