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All opposition members unitedly supported the steps taken by the central government to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty and downgrade diplomatic ties with Pakistan
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju (News18)
Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said on Thursday leaders across the political spectrum agreed on the need to stand united against terrorism at an all-party meeting in New Delhi, held in the shadow of the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives on April 22.
While speaking to reporters after the all-party meeting, Rijiju said a constructive deliberation took place, with consensus across the board on supporting the government in its response to the deadly terror strike. “All the parties were of the opinion that they stand united with the government in the fight against terrorism,” he said.
#WATCH | Delhi: After the all-party meeting, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju says, “The meeting went very well, and in fact, all the political leaders unanimously supported the action taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) with regard to Pakistan. The Government made it… pic.twitter.com/6zdywpSoct— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2025
“The government made it clear in the meeting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government will have zero tolerance towards terrorist activities in our country and all the leaders expressed their solidarity with the government for all the actions being taken by the government and all the actions to be taken in the future…” he added.
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He further said the situation in Kashmir had remained peaceful in recent years but the latest attack has shattered that calm. He added that all political parties expressed deep concern over the setback to peace in the Valley. “Everything was normal and peaceful in Kashmir for the past few years, but this terror attack has ruined the atmosphere in the Valley,” he said.
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WHAT DID THE OPPOSITION SAY?
All members of the opposition, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge from the Congress, Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav, NCP(SP)’s Supriya Sule among the others welcomed the steps taken by the Centre to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty and downgrade diplomatic ties with Pakistan.
It has been learnt through sources that three prominent questions were asked by opposition leaders. The MPs wanted details on what happened on the day of the incident, lack of security, if specific inputs were available, and why it took time for the security and rescue teams to reach the attack site.
Leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi said the entire opposition uniformly supports the government. “Everyone condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The opposition has given full support to the government to take any action.”
“All the opposition leaders who were asked to be present, came to the meeting and participated in the meeting, but we did make the request that the Prime Minister should have been present in this meeting, looking at the gravity of the issue,” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said about the meeting.
“Ministers in the government told us that they will convey the decision, but we also said that conveying the decision and understanding in person is different, but nonetheless, this is an issue concerning national security and we are on the same page,” he added.
Trinamool Congress MP Sudip Bandhyopadhyay said the issue of possible security lapses was discussed but the opposition assured its support to the government against terrorism. “The nation must be totally united in this fight to eliminate terrorism,” he said. Some MPs also asked about the government’s intent behind suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, how it plans to implement this, and what will happen to the surplus water.
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WHAT DID NDA ALLIES SAY?
After the all-party meeting, TDP MP Lavu Krishna Devarayalu said: “When it comes to supporting the Union government, every party is on the same page. We support the Indian government in taking stringent action against terrorism.”
Supporting the government on its action, NDA ally Shiv Sena said the need of the hour is to show Pakistan its place. Party MP Shrikant Shinde told News18: “Our leader Balasaheb Thackeray always used to say that Pakistan should be weakened in every manner, including stopping all ties with them. We really appreciate the steps taken by the union government and will stand shoulder to shoulder with them for further action.”
At the beginning of the meeting, a moment of silence was observed for the victims, following which the government briefed leaders of various political parties about the Pahalgam attack.
The meeting was attended by Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, TMC MP Sudip Bandhyopadhyay, Tiruchi N Siva from the DMK, Supriya Sule from NCP (SP), Praful Patel from NCP, Shrikant Shinde from Shiv Sena, Lavu Krishna from TDP among others.
Central leaders included defence minister Rajnath Singh, Union home minister Amit Shah, external affairs minister S Jaishankar, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union health minister JP Nadda, and parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju.
