New Delhi, March 25 The BJP and the opposition engaged in a heated debate on Wednesday regarding the Centre's decision to convene a meeting with all political parties on the West Asia crisis, with the Congress and its allies calling it a delayed move, criticizing the government's foreign policy and questioning why Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not present.
The BJP responded by accusing the opposition of politicizing a sensitive issue.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to chair the meeting on Wednesday evening, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expected to be present.
The meeting was convened after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address in Parliament on the West Asia situation.
Opposition parties said the meeting was long overdue and questioned the Prime Minister's "absence", noting that such discussions during major global crises have traditionally been led by the Prime Minister.
Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, Manickam Tagore, criticized the government's foreign policy, alleging it appeared compromised and warning against external influence.
"Regarding the West Asia issue, the Congress will participate in the all-party meeting. We believe that this should have been done earlier. The Prime Minister should have been present in the meeting," Tagore stated.
Congress MP Ujjwal Raman Singh said India should have expressed condolences for the death of the Supreme Leader of Iran and must assert its sovereignty in foreign policy decisions instead of appearing dependent.
"We expected that when the Prime Minister spoke in Parliament, he would at least acknowledge the killing of the Iranian leader, who had been in power for 36 years. He should have expressed condolences, especially since Iran has supported India in difficult times," Singh said.
Congress leader Karti Chidambaram emphasized the importance of the government taking all parties into confidence and outlining steps to strengthen supply chains and avoid any crisis.
"It is good that the government is holding an all-party meeting. The opposition and all parties must be taken into confidence. The government must explain what it is doing to strengthen the supply chain and ensure that we do not face any crisis," Chidambaram said.
Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav criticized the government's approach towards Iran, saying it had led to a domestic crisis.
"We have been saying from the beginning that there should be a discussion and that the government should be prepared for any difficulties the country may face due to the war," Dimple said.
JMM MP Mahua Maji stressed the need for caution amid rising global tensions.
"Our country should proceed very cautiously and take everyone's opinion... The government should take MPs into confidence and act after consulting them," Mahua said.
The BJP strongly reacted to the opposition's charges and targeted the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said the government was taking all necessary steps and called for unity.
"The all-party meeting is important. The government decides when to call such meetings. When the world is facing such a major crisis, it is the duty of everyone to participate," Joshi said.
Joshi also dismissed concerns over fuel shortages.
"LPG is not a problem; the LoP himself has become a problem for the country," Joshi quipped.
BJP MP Dinesh Sharma defended the government, saying the Prime Minister has always worked with a collective approach.
"The Prime Minister has always worked by taking the opposition along. His speech in the Rajya Sabha was also along these lines -- that we must work with a team spirit and involve all states... Today, Prime Minister Modi has become indispensable in global politics and has emerged as a messenger of peace," Sharma said.
Sharma also attacked Gandhi, claiming that politics is a part-time activity for him.