'PM Modi had intel': Mallikarjun Kharge's big claim on Pahalgam attack; BJP hits back with 'Mir Jafar' jibe

NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had intelligence about the impending terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, but did not share the information with security forces.Addressing a rally in Ranchi, Kharge linked the postponement of PM Modi's April 19 visit to Srinagar with the Pahalgam attack, which occurred three days later.Also read: Kharge slams Centre for delayed response on Pahalgam terror attack"I read in newspapers that three days before the attack, an intelligence report was sent to PM Modi. Therefore, he cancelled his Kashmir visit. When intelligence agencies told you it would not be appropriate to go, why did not you not share this intelligence with police and security forces?" he asked."There was a horrific terrorist attack on 22 (April)...26 innocents were killed. The government admitted there was an intelligence failure. Why did you not arrange for tourists' security?" he asked.Also read: Nationwide civil defence mock drill in India on May 7 following Pahalgam terror attackKharge's statement is the latest in a series of controversial remarks by Congress members on the Pahalgam killings. The grand old party distanced itself from the earlier remarks, and issued an edict asking its leaders to “exercise utmost discipline” and to “confine themselves to the Congress Working Committee’s stated position in the resolution.”The party was also forced to delete a social media post which showed a headless PM Modi with the caption "Gayab" (missing). The post insinuated that the prime minister was "missing" from the scene during a national crisis.BJP calls Kharge 'modern-day Mir Jafar'Hitting back at Kharge, BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan asked the Congress chief to produce evidence of his claims or tender an unconditional apology."He has made treacherous statements similar to a modern-day Mir Jafar. His toxic, baseless, unfounded rant against the prime minister is most deplorable and condemnable, and Mr. Kharge's remarks are unpardonable, indefensible, and cannot be forgiven. Everybody demands an unconditional apology from him, and he should also come clean on what kind of inputs he received to make such outrageous remarks," Kesavan said.Mir Jafar, referred by Kesavan, was a key figure in the Battle of Plassey in 1757. One of the most trusted general of Bengal’s Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah, he betrayed the Nawab by siding with the British, a move that paved the way for the East India Company's victory and condemned as traitor.Senior BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also attacked Kharge, saying that he has joined the 'brigade' of his party leaders, who make controversial remarks on the issues like national security."Look at the kind of remarks he’s making! In the all-party meeting, he claims to stand with the country, but then he makes statements that weaken it," Prasad told reporters.