Congress Hits Back At PM’s ‘Sleepless Nights’ Jibe

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Friday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "sleepless nights to many" jibe, saying they will continue to hold him accountable for issues like the Pahalgam terror attack and caste census.

Modi, while commissioning the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala in the presence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, took a swipe at the Opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc saying their presence will give "sleepless nights" to many.

Reacting to it, AICC general secretary, organisation, K.C. Venugopal said in a post on X, "Even after the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, our PM remains fixated on disturbing the sleep of Opposition leaders instead of confronting the real threat—Pakistan. His priorities are crystal clear: appeasing his real master- Adani.”

"But rest assured, PM, while you're busy with your distractions, our sleepless nights will be spent holding you accountable," he said.

"We will relentlessly pressure you to set a timeline for the caste census, remove 50 percent cap on reservations, and finally deliver the strong, decisive response that Pakistan so rightly deserves," he also said.

Meanwhile, the Congress Working Committee CWC urged the Centre to act with firmness in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack to penalise Pakistan for its continued export of terror, and pressed for time-bound accountability into the "serious lapses" in security and intelligence in one of the most heavily-guarded regions of the country. In a resolution passed in the CWC said, "The entire country awaits accountability, answers and justice. In the face of such an unforgivable provocation, the Congress believes this is not a time for politics but a moment that calls for unity, strength, and national resolve.”

"We must rise above partisan divides and send out an unambiguous message that India stands together, and will not be broken,” the resolution said.

The Congress also asserted that this is a time for demonstrating "our collective will as a nation to teach Pakistan a lesson and curb terrorism decisively".

"The masterminds and perpetrators of this cowardly attack must face full consequences for their actions. The Congress urges the Government of India to act with firmness, strategic clarity and international coordination to isolate and penalise Pakistan for its continued export of terror into our territory," the resolution said.

The Congress also called for sustained moral and institutional support to the families of the victims of the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 persons, mostly holidayers, on April 22.

"Compensation alone is not enough. Long-term rehabilitation, mental health support, and honouring the memory of those lost through national recognition and civic remembrance are equally essential,” the party said.

The CWC reaffirmed its earlier demand for “time-bound accountability” into the “serious lapses” in security and intelligence in one of the most heavily-guarded regions of the country. The people of India deserve transparency and accountability, the party asserted.

"The CWC stands in solidarity and support with the 26 families, who lost their loved ones in the barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam," the resolution said.

"The pain of these families is the pain of the entire nation. The CWC stands with them, not only in words but in enduring solidarity," it added. The CWC also it reiterated its appeal to all citizens to remain united, calm and resolute.

Speaking at the CWC Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said the government had not come out with any clear strategy to deal with the situation arising out of the Pahalgam terror attack, even as he asserted that the entire opposition was with the Centre on the issue.

Kharge also said the government had accepted the party's demand for a caste survey but the timing "surprised us".

He, however, raised doubts over the government's intentions and asked party leaders to remain alert to take the caste survey to a logical conclusion.

The Congress president credited former party chief Rahul Gandhi for the government's decision to conduct a caste survey, saying the opposition leader in the Lok Sabha had again proved that if "we raise the issues of the people with honesty, the government has to bow down".

Noting that the party had extended all possible support to the Centre in the fight against terrorism at the last CWC meeting. Caste surveys have been completed in Congress-governed Telangana and Karnataka and the findings are being incorporated in framing government schemes, Kharge said.