Delhi blast: Cong demands all-party meeting, advancing Parliament's Winter Session
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Thursday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should immediately chair an all-party meeting in the aftermath of the Delhi blast and asked whether the "new normal doctrine" defined by the government following the Pahalgam attack of treating any future terror strike as an 'act of war' stands.
The opposition party also demanded that the Winter Session of Parliament, scheduled to start on December 1, be advanced so that there could be a debate on the incident.
On Monday, a high-intensity blast ripped through a car near Red Fort in Delhi, killing 13 people and injuring several others, hours after the busting of a "white collar terror module" and the arrest of eight people, including three doctors. The arrested doctors were linked to the Al Falah University.
Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera called for fixing of accountability, asking whether Home Minister Amit Shah take responsibility, given that several major terror attacks have occurred.
He recalled that the then home minister Shivraj Patil had resigned following the Mumbai terror attack under the UPA.
"The surprising thing is that after 48 hours, it was the Cabinet that announced that this was a terror attack," Khera said at a press conference here.
Despite intelligence agencies being there and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval keeping a close watch, how did 2,900 kg of explosive reach Faridabad, he asked.
"In a car, there was so much explosive near the Red Fort... Who is taking responsibility for this and is accountability being fixed," Khera further asked.
"We always stood with the government when a terror attack happened and will do so in future. But it is our duty to ask questions as to whose failure it is and who will take responsibility for it," he said.
The Congress demands that an-all party meeting under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister be called immediately, he said.
"We also demand that Parliament session be advanced as this is a serious challenge and must be discussed in Parliament," Khera said.
After Pahalgam and during Operation Sindoor, the government had come up with a new normal doctrine that any terror attack will be considered an act of war, he said and asked if that stands.
"This act of terror draws its sustenance, support and inspiration from external forces. Therefore, we want to know from the prime minister whether the so-called new normal doctrine that was touted during Operation Sindoor and after Pahalgam by the PM, the BJP government, still stand," Khera said.
The Congress expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the innocent citizens who lost their lives in the horrific terror attack in Delhi, in the shadow of the Red Fort, a symbol of our nation's independence, he said.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with those injured and grieving. The country stands united against terrorism in all its forms," Khera said.
"The people of India deserve to know why it took so long for the government to call this what it was, and why it failed to prevent yet another terror strike in the heart of the capital. This tragic incident once again exposes serious and repeated intelligence failures," he said.
Unity in action, in the wake of adversity, is the need of the hour, Khera said.
"The Government of India must engage with all political parties to ensure a cohesive approach to national security, strengthen coordination with state governments, and make every possible effort to ensure the safety of citizens and tourists, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir," he said.
The government on Wednesday termed the blast near the Red Fort as a "terrorist incident".
A meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Modi upon his return from Bhutan directed investigating agencies to deal with the case with "utmost urgency and professionalism" to bring the perpetrators and their sponsors to justice without delay.
The meeting reaffirmed India's unwavering commitment to a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
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RCB beat MI by 18 runs after batters fire
Mumbai (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli blasted half-centuries as the defending champions beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs in an Indian Premier League match here on Sunday.
Salt (78 off 36 balls) and Kohli (50 off 38 balls) stitched together a 120-run stand for the opening wicket before Patidar scored a rapid 53 off just 20 balls as RCB posted 240 for 4.
In response, Mumbai Indians were restricted to 222 for 5, with RCB spinner Suyash Sharma (2/47) putting the skids on the home side with a double strike in the eighth over, from which they could not recover.
Sherfane Rutherford top-scored for MI with an unbeaten 71 off 31 balls.
While opener Rohit Sharma appeared to be struggling with a hamstring issue and had to retire hurt on 19, his partner Ryan Rickelton made 37, while Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Hardik Pandya (40) were the other contributors for MI.
Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 240 for 4 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 78, Virat Kohli 50, Rajat Patidar 53, Tim David 35 not out).
Mumbai Indians: 222 for 5 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 71 not out, Ryan Rickelton 37, Hardik Pandya 40; Suyash Sharma 2/47).
