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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National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
