Karnataka Congress leaders adjust stance after gag order

Shyam Sundar Vattam

CH NEWS

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) issued a gag order recently, instructing all party members, from ministers to workers, to refrain from making any controversial statements about the BJP-led NDA government’s response to the Pulwama incident. This directive came after several Karnataka Congress leaders made remarks that sparked national controversy.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stirred unexpected attention in Pakistan when he expressed his preference for peace talks over war with Pakistan. Excise Minister RB Timmapura also contradicted claims made by Pulwama victims' relatives, questioning the details of the terrorist attack. Labour Minister Santosh Lad expressed doubts about the Indian Army's surgical strike after the CRPF convoy attack. Additionally, Congress lawmaker Ramesh Bandisiddegowda raised suspicions about the timing of the Pulwama attack, hinting at a political agenda ahead of the upcoming state elections.

These statements generated significant backlash, with accusations of the Congress party being inconsistent and prioritizing appeasement over national security. Many critics charged the party with double standards, particularly for downplaying the security concerns of the country. This led to embarrassment for national Congress leaders, who had to distance themselves from the remarks made by their regional counterparts.

In response, AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal imposed a strict gag order, directing party leaders to avoid commenting on the Pulwama issue. Following this, Karnataka Congress leaders have changed their tone, now supporting strong actions taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other ministers publicly stated that they would not oppose military action against Pakistan, emphasizing the need for decisive action against terrorism.