Prime Minister Narendra Modi lashed out at the Congress during an address in Mumbai on Wednesday — accusing the previous government of foisting a “message of weakness” after the 26/11 terror attack. He reiterated that national security was a top priority for the current BJP-led government and noted that ecisive action has been taken against Pakistan after terror strikes.
“Mumbai is not only the economic capital city but also one of the most vibrant cities in India. This is the reason terrorists attacked Mumbai in 2008. But the then Congress government gave a message of weakness,” Modi said during an address in the city.
He also cited a recent interview given by senior Congress leader P Chidambaram that had focused on the UPA government’s response to the 26/11 attack. The senior politician had become Home Minister soon after the strikes (following the resignation of Shivraj Patil) and admitted that retaliation had crossed his mind. The then government had eventually chosen to exercise restraint under global pressure.
“Recently, a senior Congress leader and former Home Minister has revealed that after the Mumbai attacks, our security forces were ready to attack Pakistan, but due to pressure from another country, the Congress government at the time stopped our security forces. Congress needs to tell who made the decision under pressure from a foreign power. The country has all the right to know. Congress’s weakness strengthened the terrorists. The country repeatedly has had to pay for this mistake by sacrificing lives,” Modi added.
Several BJP leaders also joined the discourse following his remarks — accusing the UPA government of operating “under pressure from the United States”. BJP leader Gaurav Vallabh added that more than 175 people had been killed as terrorists attacked Mumbai between 2004 and 2014.
“This was stated by the then Home Minister, Chidambaram, and seconded by Manish Tewari, who was a minister in the UPA government at the time. The current government responded to Pahalgam with Operation Sindoor. The current government, the government of New India, demonstrates that terrorism and talks cannot coexist. New India clearly told Pakistan that any act of terror committed in India would be considered an act of war. New India told Pakistan that blood and water cannot flow together. This is New India… And the previous UPA governments, due to international pressure, used to sit as mute spectators to terrorism in the country,” he alleged.
