Following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, various political leaders have issued perplexing statements, which has sparked controversy, particularly involving Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar. His remarks on the attack, which he described as stemming from “unresolved questions of partition,” have drawn considerable backlash from the ruling BJP-led NDA, leading to embarrassment for the Congress party. In response, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh intervened to clarify that any statements made by Congress leaders, apart from those from party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and official AICC representatives, are merely personal opinions and do not reflect the party’s official stance.
BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad criticized Aiyar’s comments as insensitive, questioning the leadership of Gandhi and Kharge in preventing such remarks from their party members. Prasad emphasized the need for unity, especially with reports indicating that Pakistan was propagating these comments in its media narratives. Amid calls for solidarity, he pointed out the inconsistency in Congress’s position, highlighting the contrast between their public declarations of support for the nation and Aiyar’s statements.
As a result of the escalating situation, Congress had to proactively address the matter, issuing an official resolution following a Working Committee meeting on April 24 regarding the attack. Ramesh reiterated that only the views expressed by top leadership constitute the party’s official position, and any deviations are personal interpretations, stressing the necessity for unified messaging during such critical moments.
