Ceasefire Sparks Political Face-Off: Congress vs BJP Over Modi, Indira Legacy
Hours after India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire, political unity gave way to sharp barbs as Congress invoked Indira Gandhi’s 1971 war victory to question Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s approach.
The fragile ceasefire between the BJP and Opposition fractured on Saturday evening, following the MEA’s announcement of a formal understanding between India and Pakistan. The Congress quickly launched an aggressive campaign, contrasting the current agreement with Indira Gandhi’s decisive 1971 war triumph.
“Indira Gandhi COURAGE | CONVICTION | STRENGTH,” read a tweet by the Congress’s official handle, accompanied by photos of the 1971 ceasefire signing. The party labelled the latest pact a “sellout” and questioned India’s submission to third-party mediation led by US President Donald Trump.
The BJP responded strongly, asserting that the geopolitical context of 1971 differs significantly from today’s realities. Senior leaders emphasized the new doctrine declaring any future act of terror as “an act of war,” calling it a bold shift in India’s strategic posture.
“The Congress’s flawed Nehruvian doctrine is why India faced repeated attacks,” a BJP spokesperson told reporters. “Modi’s government has changed the rules of engagement, both militarily and diplomatically.”
Interestingly, prominent Congress leaders like Shashi Tharoor and P Chidambaram took a more nuanced stance. Tharoor said, “Peace is necessary. 1971 was an achievement, but the context is vastly different in 2025.” Chidambaram echoed similar sentiments, praising the government’s restraint.
This contrast gave the BJP ammunition to label the Congress response as “divided and opportunistic.”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has written to Prime Minister Modi demanding a special session of Parliament. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge has also called for an all-party meeting to review the agreement.
Sources say Opposition parties will collectively push for these discussions in the coming days, aiming to corner the government on national security and foreign policy.
Tensions escalated following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack by Pakistan-backed militants. India launched Operation Sindoor, which involved strategic airstrikes and drone takedowns. The US-brokered ceasefire was announced by President Trump on May 10, with the IAF later confirming ongoing operations on the ground.
Despite the ceasefire, fresh shelling was reported along the LoC, underscoring the fragile nature of the peace.
While military operations continue discreetly, political warfare over the ceasefire is likely to dominate the national narrative in the run-up to key elections. Analysts believe this ceasefire could become a defining issue in the battle for political ownership of nationalism.
