Bhubaneswar (Odisha): BJP MP Sambit Patra on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and P. Chidambaram, accusing them of influencing India’s response to Pakistan following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

Patra told ANI, "It was Sonia Gandhi's dictation that don't act against Pakistan. She made India bow down and gave shelter to Pakistan." He criticised the Congress for allegedly not taking action against Pakistan, claiming that foreign powers influenced the party’s decisions.

He further cited Natwar Singh’s autobiography, saying, "Natwar Singh wrote in his autobiography that the Sonia Gandhi government used to decide the Indian Cabinet Ministers after consulting America... She believes 'saugandh mujhe us videsh ki, main desh nahi uthne dungi'..."

Patra also questioned Chidambaram’s recent remarks regarding foreign pressure behind India’s lack of retaliation, suggesting that the former Home Minister was part of the decision-making process under Sonia Gandhi’s leadership.

"Only because the 'whole world descended on Delhi', the Congress party decided not to take any action against Pakistan. This was the India of that time, under the reign of the Gandhi family... This decision must have been taken by Sonia Gandhi unlawfully and unconstitutionally, and she must have dictated to Manmohan Singh and then Home Minister Chidambaram," Patra said.

The 26/11 attacks, carried out by Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed over 170 lives and left the nation in shock. Chidambaram’s recent remarks have reignited debate on the Congress leadership’s handling of the aftermath.

Speaking on an ABP News podcast, Chidambaram recalled how international diplomatic pressure, particularly from the United States, shaped India’s stance. He said he took charge as Home Minister on November 30, 2008, a day after the attacks and following Shivraj Patil’s resignation.

"I became Home Minister the day after the attack. The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, called me to shift me from Finance to the Home Ministry. When I initially refused, I was told that Mrs. Gandhi (Sonia Gandhi), who was Congress president at the time, had already made a decision. I asked if I could speak with her, but was told she was out of town. I was instructed to take charge the next morning," Chidambaram said.

He admitted reluctance to leave the Finance Ministry, saying, "I told them that I am happy to complete my term as the Finance Minister. I have presented five budgets, and the elections were supposed to be held in April 2009. But I was told no, and the PM informed me that the party will have to move ahead with the decision. I told them that I will move, but reluctantly."

Chidambaram also revealed his lack of familiarity with India’s security infrastructure at the time. "I went in blank," he said, noting that he was unaware of the intelligence assets available in Pakistan and neighbouring regions.

Following the podcast, Chidambaram expressed frustration over being misquoted by the media regarding the 26/11 attacks. He clarified that he never stated that "US stopped us from retaliating after the 26/11 attack."

"In no part of the interview with Megha Prasad's podcast did I say that 'US stopped us from retaliating after the 26/11 attack.' Yet, channel after channel and the media and the Twitterati are merrily attributing words to me. These are the perils of talking to the media!" Chidambaram said.