The Congress on Saturday hit out at the BJP over a social media post by the ruling party, saying that it was a “petty attempt to divide us politically” and called it "deplorable". The Congress said the BJP and the government must clarify whether it is time to play politics instead of giving a message of unity. The party also asked the BJP to delete the post, which accused the previous UPA government of acting with “passivity” in responding to terror attacks. The post on social media by the BJP reads: “The message to the enemies is loud and clear. 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐬! Unlike the UPA regime’s passivity, New India has no patience for futile peace talks." It was also accompanied by a video which shows different terror attacks, including the 2005 Delhi blasts and the 26/11 attack in Mumbai, and claims that the attacks were followed by peace talks. “No retaliation, no lesson taught,” says the video which also features former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The video says “then came Modi” and that there are "no more peace talks with a terror supporting nation”. Congress media and publicity department head Pawan Khera wrote on X in Hindi, "So do we have to do politics now? Is it time to do politics? Doesn't the government need the support of the opposition? Do we not have to give a message of unity now? The government and BJP should clarify." Tagging the BJP’s post, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor wrote on X: “At a time when the nation stands united as Indians, this petty attempt to divide us politically is deplorable. Our government has learned the futility of past approaches the hard way - after inviting Pakistan to participate in the investigation of the Pathankot blasts in 2016. It is only then that it took to the path of military action, carefully calibrated and maturely conducted. This advertisement is neither appropriate nor mature. Delete it, please, BJP." Congress Lok Sabha member Sasikanth Senthil said that “exploiting the grief of Pahalgam terror attack and the Operation Sindoor for votes is not just disgraceful, it’s dangerous”. "While the nation mourns, the BJP-RSS turns tragedy into campaign material. This exposes their political desperation at its worst. Even Pakistan blames internal politics, why is the BJP amplifying that narrative? Enough of the theatrics. Stand with the country," said the Congress MP from Tiruvallur (Tamil Nadu). Meanwhile, RJD MP Manoj Jha criticised the BJP and said the party's post was "distasteful." In a video statement, Jha said the entire country, including all political parties, are standing behind the Army and the government at this juncture. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene, adding that the BJP's social media post might be misused across the border. "There will be a lot of time for politics later," the RJD MP added.
