In all party meeting Congress President asked sharp questions to Modi government
New Delhi: At an all party meeting called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the Ladakh clash in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, the first opposition Speaker, delivered a sharp critique on being kept “in the dark even at this late stage”.
“This meeting, in my view, should have come sooner and immediately after the government had been reportedly informed about the Chinese intrusion on May 5 into several places in Ladakh and elsewhere,” Sonia Gandhi said.
Sonia Gandhi said that we would like a clear assurance from the government that the situation as before in the entire border area will be ensured under all circumstances. China will return its army to the old position along the Line of Actual Control as before. She said that even after so much time has passed, we have been kept in the dark about many important aspects of this crisis.
She said that the Congress party believes that we lost valuable time between May 5 and June 6, when the core commanders of the two countries met. Even after this meeting on 6 June, why the Chinese leadership was not directly talked on political and diplomatic levels. We failed to take advantage of all opportunities. The result today is the painful martyrdom of our 20 brave soldiers and many were injured.
The Congress President urged the PM to share all the information with us and give information about the entire situation from April to this year. She asked the central government on what date the Chinese army encroached in Ladakh. Did it happen on May 5 or earlier. She said that when information about Chinese incursions came to light in many places, including Ladakh, on May 5, the government should have called an all-party meeting shortly thereafter.
She questioned whether the government does not get pictures of the border from the satellite. Did the intelligence agencies not inform about the movement on the border? Did the Military Intelligence not inform the government about China mobilizing the army in their border with LAC or towards Indian border. Is this an intelligence department failure? She said that the entire country stands together for the integrity and defense of the nation. Also supports the steps taken by the government.
