Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Oct 9: Leaders of Maharashtra’s Mahayuti alliance on Thursday extended full support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks criticising the Congress-led UPA government’s handling of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, saying India’s posture on national security has fundamentally shifted under the BJP-led government since 2014.
At a public rally in Mumbai on Wednesday, PM Modi referred to a recent interview with senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram, who admitted that India’s armed forces were ready to strike Pakistan in the aftermath of the 26/11 attacks, but were restrained due to "foreign pressure."
“The entire nation wanted a strong response. Our forces were ready. But the Congress government stopped them. Who exerted that foreign pressure? Who in Congress made that decision? The people of India deserve to know,” Modi said.
Calling the UPA's restraint a "costly weakness," the Prime Minister accused the previous government of emboldening terrorists and failing to reflect the nation's anger and resolve.
Maharashtra minister Ashish Jaiswal backed Modi’s assertion, highlighting that earlier responses to terror incidents were limited to verbal condemnation.
“Whether it was 26/11, the March 12 bombings, Ghatkopar, Gateway of India, or the train blasts—India never responded decisively. Since 2014, this narrative has changed. Our government gives a strong reply, and that’s why such attacks have stopped,” said Jaiswal.
Echoing similar sentiments, Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora praised the Modi government for removing ambiguity in the country’s counter-terrorism approach.
“Earlier, there was confusion when dealing with terrorism—whether domestic or foreign-backed. Today, there is clarity. Under PM Modi’s leadership, anyone trying to destabilise the country is dealt with firmly,” Deora told reporters, adding that “India is safer now” and attributing enhanced anti-terror capabilities to the political will shown by the current government.
However, the Congress hit back, accusing the BJP government of similar submission to foreign pressure in its own tenure. Congress leader Udit Raj questioned the Modi government’s decision not to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), referencing the 2019 Operation Sindoor and alleged US interference.
“If Pakistan was on the verge of destruction, as claimed, why wasn’t PoK taken back? Trump gave a 24-hour ultimatum, and the Modi government backed down in six hours. Who were they afraid of then?” Udit Raj asked.
He further claimed that during Modi’s February 2025 visit to the US, Donald Trump publicly undermined him, referring to the PM as a “thief” and repeatedly claiming credit for brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan—assertions Modi never denied, Raj said.
The sharp exchange reflects ongoing political friction over national security narratives, especially in light of past and current handling of cross-border terrorism. As political rhetoric intensifies ahead of upcoming elections, both parties are using past events to frame their claims of leadership and national resolve.