"Congress Cancels All Party Events, Extends Full Support to Armed Forces in Solidarity with Operation Sindoor"

Following India’s targeted strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as part of Operation Sindoor, the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party’s top decision-making body, convened on Wednesday to declare "full support" for the armed forces. The committee emphasized that this was a critical moment for unity in the country. Congress decided to suspend all planned party events, including the “Samvidhan Bachao” rallies in various states, as a gesture of solidarity with the armed forces. This decision came after a suggestion by AICC General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The meeting saw the attendance of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, and AICC General Secretaries Jairam Ramesh and K.C. Venugopal. Venugopal, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), confirmed that the party had decided to pause all scheduled activities, including the rallies, to show complete solidarity with the armed forces. Sources revealed that Vadra had emphasized that the party's message of support should reach every state and district leadership in the country. She also advised party leaders to remain cautious and aligned with the party line, particularly while discussing the security situation and the actions taken by the armed forces.

Kharge addressed the media after the meeting, stating that the gathering was convened to discuss the steps being taken by the government in response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack. Kharge praised the armed forces for their bold and decisive action in targeting terror bases in Pakistan and PoK, saying, “We are proud of our armed forces, which gave a befitting reply to the terror threat.” He also saluted the courage, determination, and patriotism of the soldiers involved in the operation.

Kharge further pointed out that Congress had consistently supported every action taken against cross-border terrorism, particularly since the Pahalgam attack on April 22. He stressed that there were no differences within the party on this matter, and Congress was committed to protecting the country. Kharge drew a comparison between Congress and the INDIA bloc, stating that both were working together to safeguard the nation in their respective areas.

In addition to offering support to the armed forces, Congress leaders also expressed concerns about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in important political discussions. Jairam Ramesh urged the Prime Minister to attend Thursday’s all-party meeting called by the Centre. He noted that Modi had skipped the all-party meeting on April 24, despite requests from opposition leaders. Ramesh added that the Leaders of Opposition from both Houses of Parliament would participate in the upcoming meeting, underscoring the importance of a collective national effort in times of crisis.

The Congress party’s decision to halt party programs and publicly stand with the armed forces is part of its broader approach to addressing national security issues and cross-border terrorism. The party has emphasized that this is a moment for unity, putting aside any political differences to focus on supporting the country’s defense forces during a critical time. Through these actions, Congress has sought to convey a strong message of solidarity and patriotism, reinforcing its position against terrorism and emphasizing national security.