Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 30: Facing intense backlash from the BJP, the Congress on Tuesday took down a controversial social media post targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which had sparked a political firestorm, especially after it was reshared by former Pakistani minister Fawad Chaudhry.

The post, uploaded on Monday night, featured an old photograph of PM Modi with his face edited out and a caption reading, ‘In times of need, missing.’ Seen as a swipe at the Prime Minister’s absence from the recent all-party meeting on the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, the image drew sharp condemnation from the BJP.

The BJP launched a counterattack with a post seemingly aimed at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, branding him ‘Pakistan ka yaar’ (friend of Pakistan) and calling the Congress a ‘backstabber’.

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari stated that the Congress deleted the post ‘under pressure from the people of India.’ He slammed the party for its ‘anti-national, pro-Pakistan’ stance, asserting that deleting the post wouldn't conceal its true character.

While PM Modi returned from an overseas trip following the attack and held high-level security meetings including one with the Cabinet Committee on Security his absence at the all-party meet has continued to be a point of criticism from the Congress.

The BJP, accusing the Congress of minority appeasement, alleged that the party was soft on Pakistan to maintain its vote bank. BJP leaders pointed to past remarks by Congress leaders opposing India’s moves against Pakistan, such as the proposed suspension of the Indus Water Treaty.

Further intensifying the row, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia accused the Congress of signaling to Pakistan by targeting PM Modi, and questioned if the party was seeking validation from across the border.

Amit Malviya, head of BJP’s IT department, also weighed in, saying the Congress had used "Sar Tan Se Juda" (beheading) imagery, which he called a dangerous dog whistle aimed at inciting hatred against the Prime Minister. He alleged that Rahul Gandhi was encouraging violence through such narratives.

The controversy marks another flashpoint in the deepening political divide as national security and cross-border relations remain key themes in the ongoing discourse.