"Very unfortunate that politics is being done at a time...": Eknath Shinde after Congress 'Gayab' jibe at PM Modi

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 29 (ANI): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday criticised the Congress party for its recent 'Gayab' post targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, amid the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
Shinde expressed disappointment that the Congress would engage in politics during such a sensitive time.
"It is very unfortunate that politics is being done at a time when there has been a terrorist attack...," said the Maharashtra Dy CM.
Shinde highlighted PM Modi's swift action in response to the terror attack, including cutting short his foreign visit and making key decisions against Pakistan. The Deputy CM emphasised that the nation has full trust in PM Modi's ability to handle the situation and give a befitting reply to those behind the attacks.
"PM Modi cut short his foreign visit. PM Modi also made many vital decisions against Pakistan. The entire nation has trust in PM Modi that we will give a befitting reply to those behind the attacks and will teach a lesson to Pakistan and terrorists," said Shinde.
He also pointed out that some opposition leaders, likely referring to Congress, did not attend the all-party meeting and were on a foreign tour, implying a lack of commitment to national unity during crises.
"Some people did not attend the all-party meeting and were on a foreign tour. The entire nation is standing in support of PM Modi. PM Modi will wipe out the name and trace of Pakistan," added Shinde.
The Congress party had recently posted an image of PM Modi titled "Gayab," implying his absence during the recently held all-party meeting in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. Since then, the post drew sharp criticism across the BJP and many of its coalition partners.
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Monday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's absence from the all-party meeting to address the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, stating that while the Prime Minister had time to campaign for the upcoming Bihar election, he did not attend any joint political discussions on the attack.
Referring to the Congress's social media post allegedly labelling PM Modi as "Gayab" during the time to take "responsibility", Ramesh said, "PM Modi was not present at the all-party meeting. We demanded on 22nd April that the all-party meeting should be held on this issue. PM did come back, but he went to Bihar to campaign for the election. He has time to address the election campaign but not the all-party meeting."
He further called for PM Modi's participation in a discussion in Parliament following the party's call for a special session to address the terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
"PM Modi should participate in the discussions in Parliament and tell us what happened and how this terrorist attack took place. There is no political agenda. The Congress has only one formula now on the matter, which is unity," the Congress MP said. (ANI)