Comparing Modi’s leadership to that of former prime minister Indira Gandhi, Revanth Reddy recalled how Indira Gandhi led India to victory in 1971 and stood firm even when the US backed Pakistan.
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of lacking courage, strategy, and transparency in the recent conflict with Pakistan.
Revanth Reddy participated in the Jai Hind Yatra, organised in Hyderabad following a direction from the All India Congress Committee, to challenge the BJP’s political use of Operation Sindoor, and question the government’s silence over the war’s outcome, and show solidarity with the armed forces.
The Chief Minister accused the BJP of using the war for political mileage, while the country mourned its soldiers. “After four days of war, what happened? Who surrendered? We still don’t know,” he said, adding that it was US President Donald Trump who appeared to announce the ceasefire, not India.
Revanth Reddy questioned why the Modi government failed to consult political parties before halting the war, despite having held an all-party meeting before it began. “You called us when you needed support. But when the war ended, you didn’t take us into confidence,” he said.
Comparing Modi’s leadership to that of former prime minister Indira Gandhi, Revanth Reddy recalled how Indira Gandhi led India to victory in 1971 and stood firm even when the US backed Pakistan.
“War is not about big speeches. It’s about the spine. Indira Gandhi showed it. She split Pakistan into two. But now, even after China took 4,000 sq km of Indian land and killed Colonel Santosh Babu from Suryapet, there is silence from our Prime Minister,” he said.
The Chief Minister also raised questions about the purchase of Rafale jets under the Modi regime. “Why is nobody talking about how many Rafales were shot down by Pakistan?” he asked. He added that Indian-made fighter jets were responsible for upholding the country’s pride, not the imported ones.
Referring to the conflict in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Revanth Reddy said if Rahul Gandhi were the Prime Minister, PoK would have been reclaimed. “Modi is like a banned `1,000 note — useless. We need leaders like Rahul Gandhi who will act.”
He accused the BJP of reducing national security to party propaganda. “Are your Tiranga rallies really to honour those who died in Pahalgam and the war? This is not your personal agenda. This is about India,” he said.
The Chief Minister argued that the Congress stood firmly with the army during Operation Sindoor, but the BJP disrespected the armed forces by undermining their morale.
He said the Congress will continue to back the armed forces and fight for real national security. “We were the first to hold a Tiranga rally in Telangana after the Pahalgam incident. We won’t let BJP politicise our soldiers’ sacrifices,” he said.
AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan, who also addressed the gathering, questioned why the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack had not yet been found. “Does the Prime Minister not even have time to meet the families of the dead?” she asked, accusing the Centre of failing to gather intelligence on terrorism.
Thousands of Congress workers from constituencies including Medchal, Malkajgiri, Kukatpally, Uppal, Serilingampally, and Cantonment took part in the march from VNR Engineering College to KGR Convention Centre.
