New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, on Tuesday said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah must take responsibility for the ‘security laps’ that led to the Pahalgam terror attack, and demanded that accountability be fixed.

He was citing the statement made by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

Speaking during the special discussion on Operation Sindoor in the Upper House, held in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, the Congress leader said, “Jammu Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha himself admitted that Pahalgam was a security lapse and what happened in Pahalgam was unfortunate, innocent people were brutally killed. (Sinha said) I take all responsibility for the incident. However the home minister must take responsibility for security lapse not the LG.”

Criticism of Prime Minister’s absence

Kharge also took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unscheduled visit to Pakistan in 2015. He criticised the prime minister for not being present at the all-party meeting, stating that he was instead campaigning in Bihar. He questioned Modi’s sincerity towards national security.

‘Government must admit its lapses’

Demanding accountability, Kharge said the government should admit its ‘lapses’ and ‘failure’ in stopping terror attacks. He further asked if the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor’s statement on the security lapse was aimed at ‘saving’ the home minister.

‘Arrogance and silence from the government’

The Congress President and Leader of Opposition accused the Modi government of being arrogant and not responding to letters from the opposition.

PTI inputs