The temporary ceasefire between the BJP and Congress following the Pahalgam terror attack came to an abrupt end on Tuesday, as both parties resumed their political crossfire. Congress accused the BJP of “taking orders from Pakistan” after the ruling party questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership during the crisis.
The clash stemmed from a late-night post by Congress on X featuring a photo—reportedly of Prime Minister Modi dressed in a yellow kurta and white pyjama—with the PM edited out, leaving only his black shoes. The caption read: “In times of need, missing.”
https://x.com/INCIndia/status/1916817222762221874
Congress used the post to underscore what it sees as the Prime Minister’s lack of visible leadership during the Pahalgam tragedy. The party has repeatedly slammed Modi for not attending the all-party meeting held to discuss the attack.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, “The first question I raised… when the government convenes a meeting, the Prime Minister should be present. Since he was not present, we said it was not right.”
At the time of the meeting, Modi was attending a government function in election-bound Bihar. From there, he delivered a stern message in English aimed at the perpetrators and handlers behind the Pahalgam attack.
In response, the BJP launched a full-blown counterattack. Former Union Minister Anurag Thakur defended the Prime Minister’s handling of the situation, reminding of his strong warning: “If you (Pak) spill one drop of our blood, we won’t let a single drop of water (from the Indus River) flow.” Thakur also pointed to measures like the suspension of parts of the Indus Waters Treaty.
“But I don’t understand this compulsion of the Congress and other opposition parties of speaking Pakistan’s language and supporting Pakistan. Does their blood not boil when Indians are killed… do they not feel like taking revenge?” Thakur added.
Amit Malviya, head of BJP’s IT Cell, accused Congress of dangerous politics, calling the post “a dog whistle aimed at its Muslim vote bank and a veiled incitement against the Prime Minister.” He also alleged that Rahul Gandhi had previously “instigated and justified violence” toward Modi.
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari went further, accusing Congress of “taking orders from Pakistan” after a Pakistani leader shared the Congress post. “It shows Pakistan is doing batting for Congress… Congress is doing bowling for Pakistan,” he said.
BJP’s Shehzad Poonawalla added fuel to the fire by branding Congress as the “Pakistan Prasth Party,” a pun on Pakistan’s Peoples Party, noting that its member Fawad Chaudhury had reshared the opposition’s post.
LJP leader Chirag Paswan, a BJP ally, also joined the debate, supporting the speech made by J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah as the “need of the hour.”
Congress’ “gayab” jibe appears to mark the end of any political restraint, just ahead of major electoral battles in Bihar this year and in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu in 2026.
