Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 28: Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh clarified on Monday that the Congress party's official stance on the Pahalgam terror attack is solely represented by the Congress Working Committee (CWC) resolution and statements made by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

Ramesh emphasized that comments made by other Congress leaders do not reflect the party’s official position. "What individual Congress leaders are saying is their personal view. The Congress party’s view is reflected in the CWC resolution and the statements by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and LoP Rahul Gandhi," he stated in a post on X.

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Ramesh highlighted security lapses and intelligence failures, but stressed the need for unity and cooperation. "There have been security lapses and intelligence failures. However, we need unity, solidarity, collective will, and continuous communication between the Government and the Opposition. We must stand united," he said.

He further urged party leaders to refrain from making independent statements during this sensitive period. "There is no need for other leaders to speak now," he asserted.

Addressing the controversy surrounding remarks made by certain senior Congress leaders, Ramesh clarified, "Some Congress leaders who have held important positions in the past have expressed personal views. The Congress Party completely dissociates itself from these statements. At this most sensitive time, only the CWC resolution and the views expressed by the Congress President and the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition should be taken as the party’s position."

Ramesh reminded that the CWC had convened on April 24 and adopted a resolution condemning the terror attack, and that Kharge and Rahul Gandhi had articulated the party’s views during an all-party meeting on April 25.

"There should be absolutely no doubt that only the CWC resolution, the statements by Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and the authorised AICC office-bearers represent the official position of the Indian National Congress," he reiterated.

The CWC had previously called for an investigation into the intelligence failure related to the Pahalgam attack, alleging that Hindus were deliberately targeted to incite communal tensions and that Pakistan masterminded the attack.