Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a sharp dig at the Congress party, using former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram’s own remarks to highlight what he described as the party’s failures in handling national security crises. During a public address, Modi focused on the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, asserting that Congress’s response at the time was inadequate and exposed serious lapses in preparedness.
The Prime Minister referenced statements made by Chidambaram, who was a key figure in the government during the 2008 attacks, to underscore perceived mismanagement in intelligence and law enforcement coordination. “Even Congress leaders have admitted the shortcomings in their own system. How can the country trust them to handle security now?” Modi remarked, framing the issue as a matter of national safety and accountability.
Modi’s comments come amid a heated political environment, with security and counter-terrorism policies taking center stage in national debates. The Prime Minister accused the Congress party of being reactive rather than proactive, noting that critical lessons from the 26/11 attacks were not fully implemented during their tenure.
Political analysts suggest that Modi’s strategy is to link past security failures to broader criticisms of Congress governance, particularly in matters of law, order, and counter-terrorism. By highlighting Chidambaram’s own admissions, the Prime Minister aimed to reinforce the narrative that national security requires decisive leadership and accountability — qualities he claims are associated with his government.
Congress leaders, meanwhile, have defended their record, arguing that the 26/11 attacks were unprecedented in scale and that emergency responses at the time were constrained by the available infrastructure and intelligence mechanisms. They have also accused Modi of politicizing a tragedy that claimed over 170 lives.
The Prime Minister concluded his remarks by emphasizing the need for vigilance, strategic preparedness, and strong leadership in ensuring the country’s security. “The nation cannot afford complacency when it comes to terrorism,” he said, reiterating his government’s commitment to strengthening counter-terrorism capabilities.
Modi’s use of Chidambaram’s statements in his criticism reflects a broader campaign to frame security and governance issues as central to public trust and electoral accountability, reinforcing the importance of historical performance in contemporary political discourse.
