In a fresh political flashpoint, former Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram finds himself at the center of a growing controversy following his comments regarding the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. His assertion that the attackers “could be homegrown terrorists” has triggered a fierce backlash from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused the Congress veteran of once again offering a “clean chit to Pakistan.”

The controversy stems from Chidambaram’s remarks during an interview with The Quint, where he stated that there was no concrete evidence proving the attackers were from Pakistan. He argued that there’s a possibility the perpetrators were domestic operatives and questioned why such assumptions about Pakistani involvement were being made without substantiated proof.

“Have they (NIA) identified the terrorists or where they came from? For all we know, they could be homegrown terrorists. Why do you assume they came from Pakistan? There is no evidence of that,” Chidambaram had said.

The BJP, wasting no time, responded with a barrage of criticism. Leading the attack was Amit Malviya, BJP’s IT Cell head, who posted a pointed statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter):

“Once again, the Congress rushes to give a clean chit to Pakistan, this time after the Pahalgam terror attack. Why is it that every time our forces confront Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, Congress leaders sound more like Islamabad’s defence lawyers than India’s opposition?”

The Pahalgam attack, which left several security personnel injured and reignited concerns over cross-border infiltration, has become a key issue in the national security discourse. Amid the emotional and political fallout, Chidambaram’s comments have revived old accusations about the Congress’s alleged soft stance on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.

Recurring Pattern? BJP Sees Strategic Echoes

According to BJP leaders, Chidambaram’s remark is not an isolated incident, but part of what they claim is a consistent pattern by the Congress party to undermine the credibility of Indian intelligence agencies and the government’s counterterrorism efforts. They also invoked Chidambaram’s past references to “Saffron Terror,” a term that became a political flashpoint during the UPA tenure and has haunted the Congress party ever since.

“When it comes to national security, there should be no ambiguity. But with the Congress, there never is — they always bend over backwards to protect the enemy,” said a senior BJP spokesperson.

Operation Sindoor and Tactical Speculation

The issue has further intensified with ongoing political heat surrounding Operation Sindoor, a recent military initiative carried out by Indian forces. Chidambaram speculated that the government might be hiding tactical mistakes made during the operation. He referenced a comment by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) suggesting a change in strategy, which he believes warrants a full explanation from the government.

“I think they are hiding the fact that we made tactical mistakes, and we re-strategised… The CDS hinted at that. What tactical mistakes were made? What was the re-strategising? Either the BJP government is incompetent to answer these questions, or it is unwilling to do so,” he said.

The timing of the controversy is particularly sensitive as the Parliament is set to enter a 32-hour-long debate where the opposition plans to question the government on multiple fronts, including national security failures, intelligence gaps, and transparency in operations like Sindoor.

NIA in the Spotlight

Chidambaram also raised concerns regarding the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) probe into the Pahalgam attack. He criticised the agency’s lack of public communication, asking:

“They are unwilling to disclose what the NIA has done all these weeks. Have they identified the terrorists, where they came from?”

This criticism has added fuel to the fire, with BJP supporters claiming that questioning the country’s top anti-terror agency at such a sensitive time sends the wrong message both nationally and internationally.

Congress Under Fire Again

The issue has prompted renewed accusations of the Congress being out of touch with public sentiment on national security. BJP leaders, rallying around the idea of “nation first,” are using Chidambaram’s remarks as ammunition in their broader narrative that the Congress leadership routinely undermines Indian security interests.

The ruling party is likely to carry this messaging into the upcoming sessions in Parliament, where debates on internal security, defence preparedness, and transparency in military operations will dominate proceedings.

Political Fallout Expected to Escalate

This war of words marks another chapter in the deepening divide between the BJP and the Congress on security issues. With terrorism once again becoming a hot-button political issue, especially in the sensitive Kashmir Valley, leaders across the spectrum are expected to take strong positions as the Parliament monsoon session progresses.

Given the emotionally charged nature of the attack and the ongoing investigation, analysts believe that the political ramifications of Chidambaram’s remarks could extend well beyond the debate stage, possibly influencing public perception ahead of upcoming state elections.

In summary, the BJP’s scathing response to Chidambaram’s comments has turned the spotlight squarely on the Congress party’s position on Pakistan and national security. Whether this moment becomes just another political flashpoint or escalates into a larger election narrative remains to be seen. However, it is clear that matters of national security and terrorism continue to shape India’s political landscape in profound ways.

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