PM Modi cancelled Kashmir trip after intelligence report on possible terror attack, alleges Mallikarjun Kharge

New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had cancelled his Kashmir visit after "receiving an intelligence report three days before" the Pahalgam terror attack and the government should be held accountable for "not reinforcing" security forces even after such inputs.

Addressing a 'Samvidhan Bachao' rally in Jharkhand's capital Ranchi, he also said the union government had accepted "intelligence failure", even as he reaffirmed that Congress stood firmly with the government in whatever action it decides to take against the culprits, including Pakistan. “Country comes first and above everything; party, caste or religion are secondary,” he said.

Reacting to the allegations, BJP Jharkhand president Babulal Marandi said Kharge's criticism of Modi was "uncalled for", as it "lowers the morale of security forces" at a time the fight against terrorism and Pakistan was at a "decisive juncture".

Kharge claimed he had received information that the Prime Minister had cancelled his visit to Kashmir on April 19 following intelligence inputs.

"I got information that three days before the attack, an intelligence report was sent to Modi-ji and that is why he cancelled his visit to Kashmir. When an intelligence report says that it is not proper to visit there for your security, why did you not inform your security, intelligence, local police and border force to protect people? When you got the information, you cancelled your programme but did not send more forces to protect tourists there,” he said.

The Congress president went on to say that India is facing a huge crisis as the union government accepted intelligence failure during the all-party meeting but did not put in place a system to protect people. "We fight for India, poor people, tribals but the BJP and the Prime Minister believe only in 'jumla' (false promises)".