India’s opposition criticized Modi’s handling of the brief but intense India-Pakistan conflict in May 2025, centered around the disputed Pahalgam attack. Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, accused Modi’s government of lacking the resolve to confront Pakistan effectively, claiming the armed forces were constrained by political decisions. Gandhi pointed to the Indian Chief of Defence Staff’s admission that Indian jets were downed by Pakistan, arguing that the government’s strategy limited military effectiveness.
Priyanka Gandhi From Opposition Criticized Modi
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi questioned the accountability of the Home Minister, asking why no resignation followed intelligence failures linked to the Pahalgam attack. She also challenged Modi’s decision to agree to a ceasefire, reportedly influenced by U.S. intervention on May 10, 2025. Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, raised concerns about whether the government had prior knowledge of the attack, noting Modi’s cancellation of his schedule days before the incident.
The opposition’s critique intensified over claims by U.S. President Donald Trump, who stated that five or six jets were shot down during the conflict, without clarifying which side suffered the losses. Gandhi demanded transparency from Modi on these claims, emphasizing the public’s right to know the truth. Meanwhile, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh denied that the ceasefire was due to external pressure, asserting India’s firm stance.
Gaurav Gogoi, Deputy Leader of the Congress party, criticized the government’s portrayal of the conflict, pointing out that media narratives exaggerated India’s military success. He also questioned the adequacy of India’s 35 Rafale jets, highlighting the significant loss any downed aircraft represented. Pakistani sources, meanwhile, alleged that India was staging “fake encounters” to frame detained Pakistanis, escalating tensions further.
Takeaway
The opposition’s remarks reflect broader dissatisfaction with Modi’s leadership, with Gandhi and others framing the government’s actions as politically driven rather than strategically sound. As debates continue in India’s parliament, the controversy underscores ongoing tensions in India-Pakistan relations and the domestic political fallout from the conflict.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 30th, 2025
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