New Delhi, July 17: India’s main opposition party, the Congress, is preparing to mount a strong offensive against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, focusing on national security, electoral integrity, and accountability of institutions.
At a high-level meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chaired by United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, the party finalised its strategy to corner the government on a range of issues. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and senior party leaders attended the session.
Deputy Leader of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha, Pramod Tiwari, said the party will demand explanations on the government’s handling of the Pahalgam terror attack, U.S. President Donald Trump’s reported involvement in mediating an India-Pakistan ceasefire, and alleged manipulation of electoral processes in several states.
“More than three months have passed since the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people. Yet, there is no trace of the terrorists. The government’s failure to track down the culprits reflects severe security and administrative lapses,” Tiwari told reporters following the meeting.
He also raised questions about repeated assertions made by President Trump, who has claimed credit for facilitating a ceasefire during a period of heightened India-Pakistan tensions. “The Indian government has neither confirmed nor denied this. Such silence only breeds suspicion,” Tiwari said.
The Congress further plans to highlight what it alleges are irregularities in the electoral process in Maharashtra, Haryana, and most recently, Bihar. The party has voiced concerns over the independence and conduct of the Election Commission, particularly in the context of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
In addition, the party will raise issues relating to rising crimes against women and Scheduled Castes, especially in states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha. It will also press for the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, a promise that remains unfulfilled by the Centre, according to the Congress.
To present a unified opposition front, Tiwari said a meeting of INDIA bloc partners will be held ahead of the session to coordinate floor strategy and issue-based interventions across both Houses.
The Monsoon Session is expected to begin later this month and is likely to see confrontational exchanges between the government and the opposition over these contentious matters.
