Kharge criticises PM Modi for skipping all-party meeting on Pahalgam terror attack

New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not attending the all-party meeting on the Pahalgam terror attack, accusing the BJP of dividing the country during a time of crisis.

Speaking at the ‘Save the Constitution’ rally organised by the Congress, Kharge said that while leaders from all parties attended the meeting, the Prime Minister was absent. “It is the misfortune of the country… Leaders of all parties attended the all-party meeting, but it is a matter of shame that PM Modi did not come,” he said, adding that Modi was instead delivering an election speech in Bihar. “The pride of the country was hurt,” he remarked.

Kharge said the Congress had decided to support the government’s response to the Pahalgam attack, stressing that “the country is supreme, then come parties and religions.” He urged all political parties to unite in this hour of crisis.

Recalling the Congress’s role in the freedom movement, Kharge said lakhs had laid down their lives for the country. Questioning the Prime Minister’s absence, he asked, “Was Bihar too far away? The Prime Minister should have come to the all-party meeting and explained the government’s plan and what help they need from us.”

He further accused the BJP and the Prime Minister of divisive politics, saying, “On our behalf, Rahul Gandhi went to Srinagar, met the injured, and spoke to the people… Modi did not come to the all-party meeting, but talks big things – 56-inch chest, going to the house of the attackers and killing them.”