On Tuesday, Karnataka Congress minister Dinesh Gundu Rao sparked a fresh political controversy with his comments accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir for electoral gains, particularly in the upcoming Bihar elections. This remark came amidst heightened political tensions and differing opinions within the Congress party on the national security situation and its implications for electoral politics.

The Remark That Started It All

Dinesh Gundu Rao's comments were made in response to the backlash following a Congress social media post that criticized the Prime Minister. The post, which appeared on X (formerly Twitter), questioned the Prime Minister's whereabouts and why he wasn't addressing the nation about the Pahalgam attack. Rao, speaking to the media, elaborated on this by drawing comparisons with past incidents, stating that the Pulwama attack in 2019 and the Godhra riots in Gujarat had both been used by Modi to gain political traction during elections.

Rao's statement aimed at questioning the Prime Minister’s accountability during such sensitive times. "What Congress wanted to say was - where is Mr. Modi, is he addressing the media? Is he clarifying anything? Can people ask him what has happened?" Rao said, adding, "Pulwama helped him in his Lok Sabha elections, Godhra helped him in his Gujarat elections, and now he is using it for Bihar elections."

This remark has raised eyebrows in political circles, especially because it came just a day after Congress issued a gag order advising its leaders to refrain from speaking to the media on the Pahalgam attack. The contradictory post on social media has created confusion within the party ranks.

Congress’s Social Media Controversy

The social media post from Congress further fueled the political fire. The image, which had the Prime Minister's photo, suggested that Modi was “missing” during a critical national security crisis. This social media post, which has been widely shared, has raised significant questions about Congress’s stance on national security and the Prime Minister’s leadership. The post seemed to challenge Modi’s presence during a critical moment, pushing for clarity on his position.

This type of post, in an already charged atmosphere, only amplified the tensions between Congress and the BJP. Some party members, like Maharashtra Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar, even questioned the survivors’ accounts of the Pahalgam terror attack, adding further complexity to the situation.

Congress Leaders Distance Themselves from Rao's Statement

As the controversy escalated, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh attempted to distance the party from these remarks. He emphasized that statements from individual leaders did not reflect the official position of the Indian National Congress (INC). "Some Congress leaders have been speaking to the media. They speak for themselves and do not reflect the INC's views," Ramesh clarified in a statement.

Ramesh’s intervention was aimed at quelling the backlash within the party, signaling that the views expressed by party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi were the official stance of the party, especially on such sensitive national matters.

BJP’s Response to Congress

The BJP quickly seized on the controversy, accusing Congress of undermining national security for political mileage. BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia went so far as to suggest that the Congress party's actions could be akin to siding with Pakistan, referring to Congress’s post on X that criticized the Prime Minister.

Bhatia’s remark was loaded with political intensity, calling out the Congress party for allegedly sending the wrong signals at a time when the nation needed solidarity. "There is a national political party that stays among us, but if we call them Lashkar-e-Pakistan Congress, it won’t be wrong," he said. His words underscored the intensity of the political rivalry between Congress and BJP, especially in the backdrop of national security issues.

Amit Malviya, head of BJP's IT cell, also added that Congress’s use of the "Sar tan se juda" imagery in its social media post was aimed at inciting emotions among its Muslim vote bank. The BJP further accused the Congress of attempting to justify violence against the Prime Minister, alluding to Rahul Gandhi’s past comments which, according to the BJP, have provoked similar accusations.

Congress’s Political Strategy and Internal Challenges

While the BJP has accused Congress of undermining national security, Congress's internal struggles over how to address the issue of national security during a time of crisis have also come to the forefront. Several leaders within the party have made conflicting statements, further complicating its messaging strategy. The party’s social media activity, alongside public remarks by its ministers, indicates a deep internal rift over how to handle issues like terrorism and national security.

Congress has often been accused of politicizing security issues, especially in relation to attacks like Pulwama and Uri, which have been seen as opportunities for the BJP to consolidate its position as the stronger party on national security. The situation surrounding the Pahalgam attack is a continuation of this broader trend, where Congress’s internal dynamics are in sharp contrast to the BJP’s efforts to present itself as a defender of national integrity.

The Road Ahead for Congress and BJP

This controversy has far-reaching implications not only for Congress’s immediate electoral prospects but also for the political narrative leading up to the 2024 general elections. For the Congress, it highlights the challenges it faces in presenting a unified front and crafting a coherent message, especially on issues as sensitive as national security. For the BJP, it offers an opportunity to further solidify its position as the party of national security and challenge Congress’s credibility on the issue.

As the Bihar elections draw nearer, the political landscape is likely to witness further intensification of these narratives. The debate over PM Modi’s handling of the Pahalgam attack, coupled with Congress's internal dissensions, will likely continue to dominate political discourse in the coming weeks.

Conclusion

This controversy between Congress and the BJP showcases the deepening political rivalry in India, with both parties using national security issues to advance their respective narratives. While Dinesh Gundu Rao’s comments may have added fuel to the fire, it is the continued social media activity and divergent views within Congress that will keep this issue in the public eye for the foreseeable future.

The road ahead promises to be a turbulent one for Congress as it tries to navigate these contentious issues while trying to maintain its relevance in a politically charged environment. The BJP, on the other hand, will continue to leverage this controversy to paint the Congress as weak on national security in the lead-up to elections.

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