congress-slams-modi-govt-for-ignoring-mps-in-op-sindoor-teams

The Congress party has strongly criticised the central government for what it described as "cheap political games" over the selection of members for the all-party delegations being sent abroad to present India's stance on terrorism emanating from Pakistan, especially in the wake of Operation Sindoor.

The controversy arose after only one of the four Congress leaders suggested by the party was included in the final list of the seven all-party delegations. Congress claimed that this selective inclusion highlights the government’s “complete insincerity” in dealing with serious national issues.

 

#WATCH | Delhi: On the all-party delegation visiting key partner countries to showcase India's continued fight against terrorism and #OperationSindoor, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh says "...The four names that have been added (by Govt) are senior MPs, one of whom has been a former… pic.twitter.com/JU5ArVVWks

— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2025

In a post on X, the Congress stated, “On May 16th morning, the Modi Govt asked for 4 names of Congress MPs/leaders to represent the INC in the delegations being sent abroad to explain India's stance on terrorism from Pakistan. These 4 names were conveyed in writing by the LoP Lok Sabha to the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs by 12 noon on May 16th itself. Very late tonight (May 17th), the full list of members of all delegations has been officially released. Most regrettably, only 1 of the 4 names suggested by the INC leadership has been included.”

The party emphasised that the four names were submitted by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in writing to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju after consultations with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. The names proposed were Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Raja Barar, and Naseer Hussain. However, only Shashi Tharoor, who was not among the names suggested, was included.

#WATCH | Delhi: Congress MP Jairam Ramesh says, "... Rahul Gandhi wrote a letter and before 12 noon on the 16th May, we sent 4 names from our party for the all-party MPs delegation- Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Nasir Hussain and Raja Brar... The government had mischievous… pic.twitter.com/4cWBEXpwdl

— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2025

Addressing the issue, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh stated, “We were asked for names. We expected that the names we had given would be included. But when we saw the press release of PIB, we were surprised. Asking for four names, receiving them, and then announcing a different name is dishonest on the government's part.”

Ramesh added that Rahul Gandhi wrote to Kiren Rijiju at 12:30 pm on May 16, formally listing the suggested Congress leaders. He also pointed out that despite Union Minister Rijiju possibly speaking to Rahul Gandhi and Kharge after the government had already made up its mind, the outcome remained unchanged.

Ramesh further emphasised that all the suggested leaders are “of the Congress” and not merely “in the Congress,” underlining their active association with the party's parliamentary functions.

Despite their grievances, the Congress party confirmed that the leaders who were included at the government’s behest—such as Shashi Tharoor—would participate in the delegations and contribute sincerely.

#WATCH | Delhi: On the all-party delegation visiting key partner countries to showcase India's continued fight against terrorism and #OperationSindoor, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh says "...This is just damage control. Our narrative across the world has gotten worse. Pakistan and… pic.twitter.com/64cWJpp74f

— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2025

However, the party reiterated its demand for an all-party meeting chaired by the Prime Minister and a special session of Parliament to reaffirm the February 22, 1994 resolution on terrorism and national sovereignty, taking into account subsequent developments.

“The INC will not stoop to the pathetic level of the PM and the BJP. It will always uphold the finest traditions of Parliamentary democracy and not play partisan politics on national security issues, like the BJP does,” the party’s statement read.

Jairam Ramesh also accused the government of changing its narrative and strategy without addressing earlier demands.

 

Also Read: Cong-BJP tied up in knots over Tharoor's role in all-party meet

“From April 22nd till now we were demanding an all-party meeting. Two meetings were held, but they were a formality—PM did not come. Leaders of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha wrote letters requesting a special session, but the PM gave no reply. Suddenly we hear about delegations being sent abroad. We supported the step, but the way the minister behaved—seeking names and then ignoring them—is not honest. A political game is being played,” he said.

The list of MPs announced by Kiren Rijiju on May 18 included the following names:

• Shashi Tharoor (Congress)
• Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP)
• Sanjay Kumar Jha (JDU)
• Baijayant Panda (BJP)
• Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (DMK)
• Supriya Sule (NCP – Sharad Pawar faction)
• Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena – Shinde faction)

 

In his announcement, Rijiju posted on X, “In moments that matter most, Bharat stands united. Seven All-Party Delegations will soon visit key partner nations, carrying our shared message of zero tolerance to terrorism. A powerful reflection of national unity above politics, beyond differences.”

According to the government, these delegations will travel to key partner countries, including members of the UN Security Council, to convey India’s united stance against terrorism in light of Operation Sindoor.

Operation Sindoor was India’s military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Launched on May 7, the operation targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Over 100 terrorists from groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen were reportedly killed.

Pakistan retaliated with cross-border shelling and drone attacks, prompting India to strike back by damaging radar stations, airfields, and communication infrastructure at 11 airbases across Pakistan. The government has portrayed the foreign delegations as a demonstration of bipartisan unity and national resolve. However, the Congress party remains critical of the selection process and demands institutional discussions through Parliament.

 

Also Read: Tharoor to US, Kanimozhi to Russia: Who's going where?