In a charged political showdown that has intensified the ongoing tension between India’s two major political parties, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came down heavily on the Congress for former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's controversial remarks questioning the legitimacy of India's 2016 surgical strikes in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

The BJP's national spokesperson and MP Dr. Sambit Patra, in a fiery press conference held in New Delhi on Saturday, May 3, 2025, accused the Congress of weakening India's fight against terrorism and undermining the armed forces. Patra stated, "Congress does not leave any opportunity to provide oxygen to the Pakistani terrorists and the Pakistani Army." His comment was directed at the party’s Congress Working Committee (CWC), which he mockingly renamed as the "Pakistan Working Committee (PWC)", insinuating that Congress behaves in a way that aligns with the interests of India's adversary.

This verbal barrage came in response to Channi’s statement made during a press conference following a CWC meeting. Channi claimed there was no proof of the surgical strike after the Pulwama terrorist attack, questioning the validity of the Indian military's cross-border response. He said, "Till date, I could not find where the (surgical) strike took place, where men were killed at that time and where this happened in Pakistan. Will we not find out if a bomb is dropped in our country? They say that they did a surgical strike in Pakistan. Nothing had happened."

Channi added that he had consistently demanded proof and further remarked that if such a significant operation had occurred, there should have been verifiable evidence, such as damage reports or confirmed fatalities. He continued, "Nowhere was a surgical strike seen. Nobody came to know. I have always demanded (proof). But today, people's wounds need to be tended to. We demand them (Government) to do something. Tell people who they are and punish them."

The 2016 surgical strikes were a retaliatory military action conducted by Indian Army special forces in response to the Uri terrorist attack, which killed 19 Indian soldiers. The strikes reportedly took place across the Line of Control (LoC) and targeted terrorist launch pads inside Pakistan-administered territory. While the Government of India declared the operation a success and released some footage years later, the opposition has intermittently questioned the scale and verifiability of the mission.

Sambit Patra responded with sharp rhetoric, arguing that such statements by Congress leaders are “demoralizing for the Indian Armed Forces” and “embolden terrorist networks across the border.” Patra said, "This is not the first time Congress has tried to downplay the valour of our jawans. Whether it was questioning Balakot, or the surgical strike, Congress keeps aligning with anti-national narratives."

The BJP’s reaction has received support from its broader cadre and several leaders who took to social media to condemn Channi’s remarks. Many accused Congress of playing politics over national security, especially during an emotionally charged time following the recent Pahalgam terror attack.

In parallel, public sentiment on social media was inflamed, with #SurgicalStrike and #PakistanWorkingCommittee trending on platforms like X (formerly Twitter). BJP supporters widely shared old video footage of the army’s claimed strikes, while Congress defenders reiterated the need for transparency and truthfulness in national security narratives.

This isn't the first instance where Congress has questioned military operations. During the 2019 Balakot air strikes—carried out in response to the Pulwama attack—Congress leaders had also sought proof, drawing sharp reactions from both the ruling party and a large section of the citizenry.

Adding further context to the BJP's counterattack, Patra alleged that the Congress, through its actions and statements, has often given legitimacy to Pakistan’s denial strategy, weakening India’s global diplomatic stance. "Pakistan always denies our military actions, and Congress unfortunately provides them with sound bites to support their propaganda," he claimed.

Meanwhile, the Congress party has not yet issued an official clarification or rebuttal to BJP's strong words. Channi's own team has said his comments were “misinterpreted” and were intended to “highlight the need for transparent governance and accountability.”

The larger political implication of this row is significant. With general elections looming in 2026, national security and the military's role are expected to be central campaign issues. The BJP has repeatedly leveraged its image as a party of decisive leadership and strong nationalism, a position it believes is undermined when opposition leaders question defense actions.

Further, recent terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, including the mass killing in Pahalgam, have already rekindled discussions around India's counterterrorism policy, making this controversy more combustible.

Political analysts believe that this controversy could impact voter perceptions, especially in Punjab, where Channi’s statements were made, and where security concerns and patriotism are deeply resonant themes.

In conclusion, the war of words between BJP and Congress over the surgical strike controversy has taken on fresh intensity. The BJP’s branding of CWC as the "Pakistan Working Committee" marks one of the most aggressive accusations in recent political memory. Whether this benefits BJP electorally or forces Congress to recalibrate its messaging remains to be seen.

What is clear, however, is that in the evolving landscape of Indian politics, national security is not just a matter of defense—it’s also a potent tool in electoral strategy. As more voices weigh in, this political storm shows no signs of calming.

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