‘Wazir-e-Ala’, ‘Pakistan Ratna’, ‘Siddarmaiaullah’ To ‘Halal Congress’: Karnataka CM’s Pahalgam Response Triggers Conflict Of Phrases – News18

Final Up to date:April 28, 2025, 18:29 IST

The remarks discovered resonance in Pakistani media, with information shops amplifying the Karnataka CM’s feedback — a growth that handed a recent opening to the BJP to focus on Congress

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s ill-timed comment of “not in favour of waging a warfare” with Pakistan within the wake of Pahalgam terror assault has sparked a political storm, placing the Congress on the again foot.

From “Wazir-e-Ala” to “Pakistan Ratna” to “Siddarmaiaullah” and now “Halal Congress”, the Bharatiya Janata Occasion (BJP) has been relentless in its barrage of assaults.

Because the celebration’s spokespersons are caught in a bind, Siddaramaiah has additionally tried to make clear his stance. However by then, the harm appears to have already been carried out.

Siddaramaiah had first mentioned, “Strict safety measures have to be initiated. We’re not in favour of waging a warfare. There needs to be peace, folks should really feel safe, and the central authorities ought to guarantee efficient safety preparations.”

The remarks rapidly discovered resonance in Pakistani media, with a number of information shops amplifying the Karnataka Chief Minister’s feedback — a growth that handed a recent opening to the BJP to focus on the Congress.

Below strain from the Congress excessive command, Siddaramaiah was requested to place out a clarification the place he went on to state, “I by no means mentioned we must always by no means go to warfare with Pakistan, I simply mentioned warfare will not be the answer. Safety ought to have been given to the vacationers. Whose accountability is that this? I’ve mentioned there was a failure,” the Congress chief mentioned. “There’s a failure of intelligence. The federal government of India didn’t present ample safety. So far as warfare is anxious, if it’s inevitable, we should go to warfare.”

CONGRESS DEFENCE

The BJP leaders had been fast to pounce, accusing Siddaramaiah of “parroting” Pakistan’s line and undermining the Indian Military’s efforts.

Chief of Opposition within the Meeting R Ashoka launched a scathing assault, saying: “Siddaramaiah is now a hero in Pakistan. Congratulations to the Halal Congress CM. In the event you go there, you’ll get a royal welcome.”

Congress celebration spokespersons defended the Chief Minister’s stand, arguing that his feedback had been being “misconstrued” intentionally.

Natraj Gowda mentioned: “Immediately, a contemporary warfare might be fought by isolating a nation diplomatically and economically. Our Chief Minister’s assertion was in that context. He by no means questioned the armed forces.”

Explaining this, Gowda mentioned that PM Modi states how India-US relations are robust, but monetary help goes to Pakistan from the US. He added that Russia can also be an ally of India, but Pakistan continues to get their weapons from them. “The pleasant nations should reduce off all help to this nation, that’s the way it needs to be carried out, not declaring warfare.” Gowda mentioned.

“Conflict as we speak might be fought in methods that may squeeze a nation out of its sources and provides, and thru stringent sanctions and lockdowns in methods to chop communication, sources and provides. It’ll convey them to their knees. Conflict as we speak isn’t just about wielding a gun and taking pictures down folks. A more practical manner of compelling by weakening the nation might be carried out,” he mentioned.

Gowda mentioned that the Congress has made it clear it stands by what PM Modi and the Union authorities has been doing on this time of want. All events are backing the central authorities and its choices.

“The Indus treaty was revoked, the Pakistan consulate officers had been despatched again, Pakistani nationals are being despatched again, we wholly assist these choices,” he added.

He additional argued that even Prime Minister Narendra Modi typically talks about isolating Pakistan globally, including, “The BJP is twisting phrases as a result of they don’t have any solutions on why safety failures occurred below their rule.”

One other Congress spokesperson, Ramesh Babu, added that the BJP is dealing with “chapter” of concepts and so they’re splitting hairs on the Siddaramaiah assertion as they don’t seem to be within the loop. They need to take a look at the bigger subject on how one can deal with this terror assault and the way India ought to give a befitting reply.

“Siddaramaiah has clarified his assertion. Congress being a nationwide celebration and the celebration president Mallikarjun Kharge referred to as for an all-party assembly. However what’s unlucky is that for such an essential matter, the PM doesn’t chair the all-party assembly, relatively he’s seen in UP,” Babu advised News18.

The Congress has at all times stood by the nation and by the precept of the sanctity and integrity of India. Kharge has additionally made it clear that the celebration will abide by the selections made by the federal government, not his subject.

Babu mentioned that the BJP is affected by chapter of concepts, and they’re utilizing this comment and splitting hairs on this assertion.

“The BJP has did not make clear how the celebration has failed to guard the vacationers in Kashmir. It has failed to answer how there was an intelligence failure. The BJP has failed to just accept their errors and are in search of points to cover their errors,” Babu mentioned.

HOW PAKISTAN COVERED THE ISSUE & BJP’S ATTACK

Pakistani media, together with distinguished information channel Geo Information, coated the Karnataka CM’s remarks, describing them as “voices in opposition to warfare from inside India”.

Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra posted on X, whereas sharing a clip from a Pakistan channel. “Massive cheers for Wazir-e-Ala @siddaramaiah from far throughout the borders! Pakistani media is all too reward for @siddaramaiah & visibly disenchanted on the backlash he’s receiving from BJP & others, for his feedback in opposition to warfare with Pakistan.”

Additional referring to former PM Jawaharlal Nehru, Vijayendra mentioned, “Nehru was taken round in an open Jeep across the streets of Rawalpindi, as Pakistan was too proud of Nehru for signing the Indus Water Treaty that favoured Pakistan. Is Siddaramaiah going to be the subsequent politician from India to be taken round in an open Jeep in Pakistan?”

Siddaramaiah’s statements drew criticism from former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP veteran BS Yediyurappa. “At a time when we have to stand united, Siddaramaiah’s statements are extremely condemnable and infantile. He ought to perceive the fact and never make such feedback when the nation is standing collectively. It doesn’t fare properly for his place as Chief Minister. I condemn this. He ought to apologise to the folks of the nation and mend his methods,” he mentioned.

BJP Yuva Morcha nationwide president and Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya took on the CM. “As a substitute of standing firmly with the forces and demanding strict motion in opposition to terrorists, the Karnataka CM is talking the language of weak spot. It’s shameful,” he mentioned.

He additionally questioned the compensation introduced by the state to those that misplaced their lives in Pahalgam.

“Congress and Pakistan converse in the identical language, whether or not it’s Article 370, Samjhauta, Pulwama, 26/11, surgical strike, or Balakot air strike. Congress is now not INC, however a PPP — Pakistan Parast Occasion. Due to this fact, on one hand, they are saying the strongest motion needs to be taken in opposition to those that are exporting terrorism into India, and however, the Congress is busy giving a clear chit to Pakistan,” mentioned BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla.

On the nationwide stage, even Congress chief Rahul Gandhi had backed the Centre’s powerful line, supporting strict motion in opposition to Pakistan and expressing solidarity with the victims’ households. This distinction between the nationwide Congress’s stand and Siddaramaiah’s controversial comment has solely fuelled the BJP’s cost that the Congress speaks in “two voices” on nationwide safety.

SIDDARAMAIAH’S CLARIFICATION

In a remaining bid to include the scenario, Siddaramaiah later issued a written clarification:

“Conflict needs to be a nation’s final resort. India should educate Pakistan a powerful lesson for supporting terror, but additionally act correctly to take care of the nation’s international standing. My remarks had been in favour of peace and powerful nationwide safety, not appeasement.”

However the BJP seems in no temper to let the matter relaxation, seeing in Siddaramaiah’s comment a possibility to painting the Congress as “tender on terror” — a story.

The April 22 terror assault in Pahalgam left 26 lifeless. The assault was the deadliest within the Valley for the reason that abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.

The Modi authorities has already introduced the suspension of visa companies for Pakistani residents, reviewed water-sharing treaties just like the Indus Water Treaty, and warned of “unimaginable penalties” for terror teams and their sponsors.