Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge lashes out at PM Narendra Modi for skipping all-party meet on Pahalgam attack

NEW DELHI: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday for not attending an all-party meeting to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, while Modi was delivering an election speech in Bihar.
"It is the misfortune of the country that when the pride of the country was hurt, you were giving an election speech in Bihar," Kharge said at the 'Samvidhan Bachao' rally in Jaipur.
"Leaders of all parties attended the all-party meeting, but it is sad that PM Modi did not come to that meeting. Was Bihar far away? The PM should have come to the all-party meeting and explained the plan. What help does he need from us?" Kharge questioned.
"Modi gave inflation and unemployment. Such people weaken the country. The 56-inch chest has shrinked," Kharge stated, referring to Modi's 2014 Lok Sabha campaign statement about needing a 56-inch chest to transform Uttar Pradesh into Gujarat in terms of development.
Kharge emphasized that Congress leaders had agreed to support the government's actions as the country's interests were paramount.
"Country is supreme, then come parties, religion. Everyone should be united for country," he declared.
"In this country, the Constitution is supreme and our democracy runs under the Constitution," Kharge added, stating that while Congress promotes unity, BJP promotes division.
Addressing the issue of investigative agencies and raids on Congress leaders, Kharge said, "Whenever Congress grows, these people try to suppress it. We are not the ones to be suppressed."
He concluded by alleging that BJP leaders are attempting to weaken everyone but cannot undermine democracy by filing what he termed as "false" cases against people.