PTI
RANCHI, May 6 — Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi cancelled a scheduled visit to Kashmir after receiving an intelligence report three days before the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists.
Addressing a ‘Samvidhan Bachao’ rally in Ranchi, Kharge questioned the government’s failure to reinforce security in the region despite receiving intelligence inputs. “When the Prime Minister was alerted about the security threat and chose to cancel his visit, why didn’t he ensure additional forces were deployed to protect civilians and tourists?” he asked.
Kharge said the Centre acknowledged an “intelligence failure” during an all-party meeting following the attack, and demanded accountability for what he termed as a lapse in securing the region despite prior warning.
Reacting strongly, the BJP dismissed the allegations, accusing the Congress leader of attempting to demoralize security forces. Jharkhand BJP president Babulal Marandi said Kharge’s remarks were “uncalled for” at a time when the country is at a decisive juncture in its fight against terrorism and Pakistan.
Kharge asserted that the Congress supports strong action against Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam attack, emphasizing that “the nation stands above party, religion, and caste.”
In a broader political attack, Kharge accused the Modi government of pursuing policies that undermine public sector enterprises and deprive marginalized communities of employment. He cited the closure of industries like the Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC) in Ranchi and alleged the government was ignoring over 3 million job vacancies.
He also criticised the misuse of central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against opposition leaders, specifically referencing actions against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and the National Herald case. “These agencies are being weaponized to intimidate opposition voices, but only two convictions have come out of around 200 cases,” he claimed.
Kharge further alleged that the Prime Minister played a role in the incarceration of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, calling it a move to “frighten tribal leadership.”
He urged the PM to initiate a caste-based census and to remove the 50% cap on reservations through constitutional amendment. In a letter to Modi, Kharge also pushed for the full implementation of Article 15(5) to ensure reservation for SCs, STs, and OBCs in educational institutions.
The BJP, however, reiterated that Kharge’s comments on the Pahalgam incident were politically motivated and aimed at undermining national unity during a sensitive period.
