Entire Oppn stands with security forces, govt: Rahul

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday expressed solidarity with the government in aftermath of Pulwama terror attack, signalling a course correction a day after the party had gone ballistic against Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of compromising national security.

“I want to make it very clear that the aim of terrorists is to divide this country and we are not going to be divided for one second,” Rahul said addressing a press conference with former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and senior Congress leaders A K Antony and Ghulam Nabi Azad at the AICC Headquarters here.

‘No matter how hard people try, this country and the entire Opposition is going to stand together. We are going to stand with our jawans and we are going to stand with the government,” Rahul said.

Congress President’s course correction came after the magnitude of the attack became clear with 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives in the suicide attack on the CRPF convoy.

Rahul also made it clear that Congress will tone down its political attacks on the government for the next couple of days.

“The perpetrators should not be led to believe that they can hurt us even a little bit... They should know that the nation does not forget such acts,” the Congress President said.

Modi also took note of the Congress attack and said he respected the feelings of those who were critical of the government. “They have the right to be critical,” he said at the same time appealed the nation to be united.

Rahul also drove down to the Palam Technical Area of the Delhi airport and laid wreaths on the mortal remains of the CRPF personnel who were killed in the suicide attack on Thursday.

Top Congress leaders held a meeting at the residence UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to plan the party strategy in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack and the position to be taken at the all-party meeting called by the Modi government on Saturday.

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh said the nation will never compromise with terrorist forces.

“Today is not the day to raise contentious issues. Our role is to convey to our soldiers and their families our heartfelt condolences and that the Congress party stands in full support to our jawans,” Singh said.

“We will do all that is necessary to keep this nation in support of these anti-terrorist measures,” the former prime minister said.

Congress leaders are also expected to visit Jammu & Kashmir soon to assess the situation in the state