New Delhi [India], May 9 : Communist Party of India (Marxist) MP John Brittas on Thursday expressed support for the government's actions against terrorism, stating that all political parties back the armed forces' efforts. However, he also emphasised the need for caution to avoid escalating the situation.
Speaking to ANI, CPI-M MP John Brittas said, "All the political parties express their profound support for the actions of our armed forces...We are also committed to support the government in any steps to counter terror. At the same time, we also said that there shouldn't be any steps to escalate the situation...On behalf of my political party...we also said that being a mature democracy, we should also try to de-escalate the situation...There has been a demand for the presence of the Prime Minister in the all-party meeting."
The Union government held an all-party meeting to brief the various political parties about the affirmative action taken during Operation Sindoor, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday. The operation had targeted nine terror sites in Pakistan, and all nine were destroyed.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh briefed political parties on India's action on cross-border terrorism.
The Congress party has extended its full support to the Central government during an all-party meeting.
However, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's absence from the meeting, asking if the PM thought he was above the Parliament.
Kharge, speaking to the media after the meeting, said, "We heard what was said (by the government). They said for the interest of the country, anything based on national security was confidential and they couldn't say anything about it. However, all the party members who were present said that in this hour of crisis, we are all with them and told them to keep doing the work, and we will support them for the interest of the country."
Despite the show of unity, Kharge took a sharp dig at PM Modi for skipping the meeting, marking his second consecutive absence from such discussions."Last time he was not there, and this time he isn't there either. He intends that he thinks he is above the Parliament. When the time comes, we will ask, but now it is a time of crisis, and we don't want to criticise anyone," Kharge remarked.
The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, who attended the meeting, reaffirmed Congress's support for the government's actions in the national interest. "We gave our full support. As Kharge ji said, these things can't be discussed. But everyone supported," Gandhi stated, emphasising the need for unity during the crisis.
Meanwhile, Kiren Rijiju said that Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the meeting and members of each party were briefed about the operation conducted by the Indian Armed Forces.
Kiren Rijiju emphasised that all the leaders have showcased "maturity" and asserted that at the present time, all are "together".
"The meeting was chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who briefed everyone about the Operation Sindoor, and all the leaders gave their suggestions. All the leaders have shown maturity at a time when we are all working together. Everyone has hailed and congratulated the armed forces for Operation Sindoor, and said that we will support the government and armed forces. We have received a few suggestions as well... The Defence Minister said we don't form the government just to rule", Kiren Rijiju told reporters after the meeting."Political parties are the voice of the people and the leaders speaking in one voice. I think it is also one of our successes... It is not good to tell about the continuation of things that are going on after the first strike of Operation Sindoor, and hence, officials were not called in the meeting," he said.
Rijiju also urged all parties not to rely on unverified news, "Many fake news is being propagated to spread fake news, and hence, I appeal to all in this time not to trust any fake news coming out of the country or from within the country and to trust only authentic information."
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister JP Nadda, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi are among several other leaders who participated in the meeting.