The Congress Thursday demanded that the government advance the Winter Session of Parliament scheduled from December 1 and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi chair an all-party meeting in view of the blast near the Red Fort on November 10.
The Congress also sought clarity on whether the government’s “new normal doctrine” following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 of considering any future terror strike as an act of war still stands.
Demanding accountability, the AICC Media and Publicity Department chairman Pawan Khera said, “Surprisingly, 48 hours after this incident, the Cabinet admitted that it was a terrorist incident. This raises serious questions.”
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The Union Cabinet Wednesday called the explosion near the Red Fort, in which thirteen people were killed, “a heinous terror incident, perpetrated by anti-national forces” and directed that the investigation “be pursued with the utmost urgency and professionalism so that the perpetrators, their collaborators, and their sponsors are identified and brought to justice without delay”.
After the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, Khera said, “the PM said there is a ‘new normal doctrine’ that any terror attack will be considered an act of war… This act of terror draws its sustenance, support and inspiration from external forces. Therefore, we want to know from the PM if the so-called ‘new normal doctrine’ still stands?”
Khera said, “There are so many security agencies, there is (Union Home Minister) Amit Shah, (National Security Advisor) Ajit Doval who say our vigilant eye is always open. Then how did 2,900 kg of explosive material reach Faridabad?”
“We have been asking about the Pulwama attack on how the RDX got there, but there’s no answer till this day…Now, 2,900 kg of explosives has reached a place just 20 km from the national capital…” he said.
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Khera recalled that then home minister Shivraj Patil had resigned following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack under the UPA, and asked under the NDA-led government “who’s taking responsibility? The entire country is asking questions … whenever there is a terror attack… we have said the government should take strict steps and we are with them”.
“We demand an all-party meeting chaired by the PM… it cannot be that you do not take part in it out of arrogance…” he said. “We have also demanded that the (Winter) session of Parliament be advanced…since there is a grave challenge before the country… we are with the government but it needs to take a stand.”
