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BJP accused Sonia Gandhi of remotely controlling Congress’ decision to not retaliate against Pakistan after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. (PTI)
BJP MP Sambit Patra launched a scathing attack on Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, accusing her of succumbing to foreign pressure and influencing the UPA government’s decision to not retaliate against Pakistan after the Mumbai 26/11 terror attacks.
His remarks came after former Home Minister P Chidambaram made an explosive revelation, claiming that the “whole world descended upon New Delhi” to urge it not to go to war with Pakistan following the coordinated terror attacks that claimed the lives of 175 people in the Mumbai 26/11 attacks.
Speaking at a press conference, Patra said, “This was the India of that time, under the reign of the Gandhi family. Who do you think made this decision? This decision must have been taken by Sonia Gandhi in an unlawful and unconstitutional manner, and she must have dictated to Manmohan Singh and then Home Minister Chidambaram. It was Sonia Gandhi’s dictation not to act against Pakistan.”
26/11 हमले के बाद पाकिस्तान को जवाब नहीं देने का निर्णय उस समय सोनिया गांधी ने ही लिया होगा। pic.twitter.com/K5P4NWKsK1— Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) October 4, 2025
“Despite India having incredible valour, Sonia Gandhi made the country bow down and provided shelter to Pakistan,” he added, accusing the Congress of obstructing every action India has taken under the BJP government, be it Operation Sindoor or the Balakot airstrikes.
“They have attempted to undermine the country’s army. Even the Congress leaders in Uttar Pradesh yesterday went so far as to say that they do not trust the statements of the CDS or the Air Chief Marshal—they do not consider them truthful,” he added.
‘Sonia Gandhi Chose Cabinet After Consulting US’
Patra further alleged that Sonia Gandhi chose ministers in the Congress cabinet after consulting with the United States. Citing former Congress leader Natwar Singh’s autobiography, Patra said Sonia Gandhi overruled Manmohan Singh’s decisions regarding the cabinet based on America’s perceptions.
“On one hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, ‘Saugandh mujhe iss mitti ki mai desh ko nahi jhukne dunga (I swear by this soil, I will not let the nation bow down)’, and on the other hand, Sonia Gandhi believed in ‘Saugandh mujhse us videsh ki mai desh nahi uthne dungi (I swear by that foreign land; I will not let the country rise)’. “
He further said, “India has changed, and the changed India is an India of valour. Before 2014, India had the valour of the Army but lacked political will. Today, under the leadership of PM Modi, we have that political will.”
In a separate press conference, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said the Manmohan Singh government was remotely controlled by Sonia Gandhi. “P Chidambaram, who was the Home Minister in the Congress government and a senior leader, stated that India was under pressure, and due to this pressure, the Manmohan Singh government, which was allegedly run on remote control by Sonia Gandhi, decided that no strong retaliatory action, attack, or war would be taken after the 26/11 terrorist attacks. This oath, taken by Sonia Gandhi, the late Manmohan Singh, Rahul Gandhi, and P. Chidambaram, directly contradicts the Constitution,” he said.
What Did Chidambaram Say?
In a stunning admission, P Chidambaram said India did not respond to the 26/11 attacks due to international pressure, especially from the United States. His remarks, however, did not go down well with the BJP, which called the admission “too little, too late”.
In an interview with a news channel, Chidambaram said, “Condoleezza Rice, who was then US Secretary of State, flew in two or three days after I took over, to meet me and the prime minister. And to say, ‘please don’t react’. I said this is a decision that the government will take. Without disclosing any official secret, it did cross my mind that we should do some act of retribution.”
India faced one of its worst crises on November 26, 2008, when 10 Pakistani terrorists took Mumbai hostage, launching coordinated attacks across the city’s iconic landmarks such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj terminus, Oberoi Trident, Taj Mahal Palace and Tower hotel, Leopold Cafe, Cama Hospital, and Nariman House.
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international…Read More
Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More
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October 04, 2025, 15:13 IST
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