ADDRESSING A RALLY IN RANCHI, JHARKHAND ON TUESDAY, CONGRESS PRESIDENT MALLIKARJUN KHARGE CLAIMED PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI CANCELLED HIS APRIL 19 VISIT TO SRINAGAR AFTER RECEIVING CREDIBLE INTELLIGENCE ABOUT A POSSIBLE TERRORIST ATTACK IN THE VALLEY. (PHOTO).

 Addressing a rally in Ranchi, Jharkhand on Tuesday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi cancelled his April 19 visit to Srinagar after receiving credible intelligence about a possible terrorist attack in the valley. 

Kharge alleged that an intelligence report was sent to the PM three days before the April 22 Pahalgam attack that left 26 people, mostly tourists, dead.

Reacting to Kharge’s remarks, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad called the statement “irresponsible” and accused the Congress of displaying duplicity in its stance on terrorism. He criticised the Congress for politicising national security issues.

Kharge made the statement at a time when several districts are preparing for a civil defence mock drill scheduled on May 7, following a late-night directive from the Home Ministry on May 5. India has since announced multiple punitive measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.

Despite the criticism, Kharge reiterated the Congress party’s support for the government’s actions against Pakistan. “Congress stands with the government for any action against Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack. The country is supreme,” he said.