NEW DELHI: The BJP and the opposition on Wednesday sparred over the Centre's decision to convene an all-party meeting on the West Asia crisis, with the Congress and its allies calling it a delayed move, faulting the government's foreign policy and questioning why Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not attending the crucial discussion. The BJP hit back at the opposition, accusing it of politicising 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 PM.
Congress whip in the Lok Sabha, Manickam Tagore, attacked the government's foreign policy, alleging it appeared compromised and warning against external influence.
"On the West Asia issue, Congress will participate in the all-party meeting. We believe this should have been done earlier. The prime minister should have taken part in the meeting. Whenever such meetings are held during serious issues, prime ministers -- whether Manmohan Singh, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, or PV Narasimha Rao -- have always attended. This is the first time the prime minister is not participating, which is unfortunate," he told reporters in the Parliament House complex.
"Rahul Gandhi had already said that foreign policy has become a joke. Because of a compromised Prime Minister, the country is in this situation," Tagore added.
Congress MP Ujjwal Raman Singh said India should have condoled 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 say a word about 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.
"Our silence somewhere indicates that our foreign policy has been compromised. We should not adopt a policy that depends on others. India is a sovereign nation and must determine its own policies. The prime minister should convey this message," he added.
Congress leader Karti Chidambaram said it was important for the government to take all parties into confidence and outline steps to strengthen supply chains and avoid any crisis.
"It is good that the government is having an all-party meeting. The opposition and all parties must be taken into confidence. The government must explain what it is doing to augment the supply chain and make sure that we do not have any crisis."
Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav said the government's approach towards Iran 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," she said.
"The government's approach towards Iran, which has been our friend for decades, has led to problems. Because of this, issues have arisen in LPG supply, and people are not getting cylinders. We will see what the government presents in the all-party meeting," she added.
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," she told reporters in the Parliament House complex.
The BJP reacted sharply 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. But irresponsible statements are being made -- calling it a failed foreign policy or a dead economy," he said.
"Whether Gandhi is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha or the leader of opposition against the country itself is a question. Instead of being constructive, he has become opposed to the country and its people," Joshi added.
He 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," he said.
Sharma also attacked Gandhi, claiming that politics is a part-time activity for him. "Gandhi has no real understanding of foreign policy or India's challenges. Politics is a part-time activity for him, and he occasionally appears in that role, but otherwise lives a different lifestyle," he alleged.
