Informist, Monday, Jul. 21, 2025

NEW DELHI – The Congress' strategy to corner the government on the India-Pakistan conflict following the Pahalgam terrorist attack on the first day of the Monsoon Session Monday found no word of support from other opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha. The Congress was pressing for a response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the matter.

As the house proceedings moved further after obituary references and oath taking by new members, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge sought to know the government's stance on US President Donald Trump's claim that he brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Kharge also asked the government to place before the house details regarding the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. "A lapse has occurred in Pahalgam and this has been acknowledged by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The Chief of Defence Staff and other army officers also made disclosures regarding the operation," Kharge said. As Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar did not express conformity with Kharge's demand, the Congress members came close to the well of the house and started raising slogans in support of the issues raised by the party president and sought response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The allies of Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance–-Shiv Sena (UBT), Dravida Munnetra Kazhgham, Trinamool Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) and Samajwadi party did not join the Congress members near the well of the house. In fact, the members of these parties remained seated when the Congress was raising slogans in the house. As a result, the Congress didn't succeed in its effort to press for Modi's presence in the house and ultimately had to stage a walkout from the Upper House.

There were 18 notices moved by the members in the Rajya Sabha seeking discussions on various issues including the Operation Sindoor and Pahalagam attack, and the special intensive revision of electoral roll in Bihar. However, none of the opposition parties joined the Congress' protest. The Trinamool Congress members were not present in the house due to pre-engagements in West Bengal and Aam Aadmi Party has already cleared that it was no longer a part of the bloc.

A member of the Samajwadi Party blamed lack of coordination for what happened in the house and refuted having any difference in the opposition bloc. An Aam Aadmi Party leader termed Congress' demand unnecessary. "Pushing for Prime Minister Modi's response on Operation Sindoor in the house is something not required. He would anyway reply on the matter. We all know his oratory skills. Do you think he will miss the chance to go live on all (news) channels? This demand is unnecessary," the member said, adding that his party supports demand for discussion on the operation.

Meanwhile, the government has proposed to hold discussion on Operation Sindoor next week, after Prime Minister Modi returns to India. Modi will visit the UK and the Maldives from Wednesday to Saturday. The business advisory committee has allotted 16 hours for discussion on the Operation Sindoor. However, the Congress party demanded that the discussion should be initiated this week.

The Monsoon session is scheduled to conclude on Aug. 21. End

Reported by Kuldeep Singh

Edited by Akul Nishant Akhoury

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