NEW DELHI, May 8: In a strong display of national unity, all opposition parties on Wednesday expressed unequivocal support to the Centre over its recent actions targeting terrorist infrastructure across the border. This consensus was reached during an all-party meeting held in the capital, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Action Targeted Only at Terror Camps: Government Clarifies
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, briefing the media after the meeting, said the Defence Minister assured party leaders that India’s military action was solely aimed at terrorist training camps and did not target Pakistan’s military or civilian areas. Singh also informed the gathering that, due to national security sensitivities, not all operational details could be disclosed. “In the interest of the nation, we accepted that and did not seek further information,” Kharge said.
Unanimous Backing from Opposition Parties
Kharge affirmed that all opposition leaders extended full support to the government and the armed forces. “The Prime Minister has granted full authority to the army, and we support every action being taken to safeguard the nation,” he declared.
Border Civilians’ Safety Highlighted
The issue of protecting civilians in border regions was also raised, with special attention to incidents of violence in areas like Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir. Opposition leaders emphasized the need for heightened security measures, to which the government responded with assurances of ongoing efforts to safeguard those areas.
Rahul Gandhi Suggests Special Parliamentary Session
During the meeting, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi proposed convening a special session of Parliament to send a unified message of national solidarity. However, Kharge noted that the government had not responded to this suggestion.
Message of National Unity
Kharge underscored that the overarching sentiment among all political parties was one of collective resolve in the face of external threats. “This is a time to stand united for the country’s security, integrity and unity. All parties expressed their full backing to the defence forces and saluted their courage,” he stated.
Dismissing Misinformation and PM’s Absence
Addressing rumors circulating online, Kharge firmly dismissed claims of Indian aircraft being shot down as “baseless propaganda.” On the absence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the meeting, Kharge said while the opposition expected his presence, they chose not to dwell on the matter given the critical national situation. “Such concerns can be addressed at a later time,” he added.
Echoing similar sentiments, Rahul Gandhi also reiterated the opposition’s complete support for the government’s move, emphasizing that no one had asked for military operation details, respecting national security concerns.
