BJP and Congress are locked in a heated war of words after BJP MP Nishikant Dubey accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of hypocrisy for criticising External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar over Operation Sindoor. Dubey cited a 1991 India-Pakistan military pact signed under a Congress-backed government that requires both nations to share details of military drills and movements to prevent conflict. The controversy has reignited political tensions over foreign policy disclosures and historical accountability.
BJP Points to 1991 Agreement to Counter Rahul’s Accusations
Rahul Gandhi triggered the row by accusing the Indian government of committing a “crime” by allegedly informing Pakistan in advance about Operation Sindoor—a strike on terrorist infrastructure inside Pakistan. He questioned who authorised the decision and how many Indian Air Force aircraft were lost as a result. The BJP swiftly responded, with Dubey referencing the 1991 agreement between India and Pakistan, which mandates mutual disclosure of military activities. Dubey posted on X: “Rahul Gandhi Ji, this is an agreement made during the time of your government… Is this agreement treason?”
The BJP MP further accused the Congress of aligning with a Pakistani vote bank and making objectionable remarks about Foreign Minister Jaishankar. He also shared documents related to the 1991 pact, signed when Congress supported the Chandrashekhar-led government.
Congress Rebuts, Says Pact Wasn’t Signed Under Its Watch
Congress leader Pawan Khera rebutted Dubey’s claim, saying that the Congress had already withdrawn its support to the Chandrashekhar government by February 1991—well before the pact was signed on April 6 that year. “This person needs to know that elections had already been announced. For further information, please contact your party colleague,” Pawan Khera stated in a post tagging BJP MP Neeraj Shekhar, son of former Prime Minister Chandrashekhar.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected Rahul Gandhi’s claim outright. The MEA clarified that India did not inform Pakistan before the strikes but only issued a warning after the operation had commenced. The message was aimed at de-escalating tensions and distinguishing between terror targets and Pakistani military installations. A statement from the PIB’s Fact Check Unit also confirmed that a viral video of Jaishankar’s remarks had been selectively edited to mislead viewers.
The video showed Jaishankar saying India had messaged Pakistan during the operation, offering them the choice to stay out of the conflict by not intervening. This, according to officials, was a strategic communication aimed at maintaining focus on terror hubs without provoking wider military escalation.
