At all-party meet on India-China faceoff, Sonia Gandhi says 'govt kept us in dark': Sources

Image courtesy: ANI

New Delhi: In the all-party meeting convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (June 19) to discuss India-China violent faceoff in the Galwan Valley along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), most leaders expressed their confidence in the steps taken by the central government to handle the situation, according to sources. 

NCP chief Sharad Pawar stressed that issues of whether soldiers carried arms or not are decided by international agreements and we need to respect such sensitive matters.

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, however, said that all-party meeting should have been convened much earlier. She said that even at this late stage parties are kept in the dark and raised specific questions.

She asked, on "which date did Chinese troops intrude. When did the government find out about the transgressions," adding "Did the government not get satellite pictures? Did intelligence agencies failed to report unusual activity?"

Other parties' reactions are given below, according to sources.

- Left parties refused to condemn China. They harped on Panchsheel and blames the United States. 

- D Raja of CPI spoke that we need to resist US efforts to drag us into their alliance and Sitaram Yechuri stressed on principles of Panchsheel.

- Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thackeray said, "We are all one. This is the feeling. We are with you. We are with our forces and their families." "India wants peace but that doesn’t mean we are weak. China’s nature is betrayal. India is 'Mazboot' not 'Majboor'. Our government has the ability to - 'Aankhien Nikalkar Haath Me de dena'," he added.

- TMC chief Mamata Banerjee said, "Don’t let China enter telecom, railway and aviation sectors. We will face some problems but we won’t allow the Chinese to enter," adding "All-party meeting is a good message for the nation. Shows that we are united behind our Jawans. TMC strongly in solidarity with the government."

She added, "China is not a democracy. They are a dictatorship. They can do what they feel. We, on the other hand, have to work together. India will win, China will lose. Speak with unity. Think with unity. Work with unity. We are solidly standing with the government."

- JDU chief and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said, "Parties should not show any disunity that can be explored by other nations. China’s stand on India is known. India wanted to give respect to China. But what did China do in 1962? There is nationwide anger against China. There should be no differences among us. We are together."

CM Nitish Kumar further added, "Goods from China flooding Indian markets have major problems. They're plastic heavy, aren't eco-friendly and they harm the environment. Electronic waste associated with them is high. Chinese products don’t even last long. It's our duty to be one and support the Centre."

- Samajwadi Party's Ram Gopal Yadav said "Nation is one. 'Neeyat' of Pakistan and China is not good. India will not be China’s dumping ground. Impose 300% duty on Chinese goods."

- Northeast parties firmly stood with PM Modi and warned against Chinese designs.

- Prem Singh Tamang of SKM said "We have full faith in the PM. In the past too, when it comes to national security, PM has taken landmark decisions."

- K Chandrashekhar Rao (TRS) said that PM’s clarity on Kashmir has irked China. PM’s emphasis on Kashmir’s development has also angered China while stressing that the PM’s call of AatmaNirbhar Bharat has rattled China.

- Pinaki Mishra of BJD said, "Sarkar ko jawab dena padega, strong action will have to be initiated (against China). Whatever that action may be, the BJD will fully support the government. Shri Naveen Patnaik ji's appeal to all parties is not to indulge in a blame game at this point. We must be in lockstep with the government, the entire country needs to talk in one voice."

- BSP chief Mayawati appreciated the detailed presentation by EAM. She stressed on taking appropriate measures on trade and investment front to counter China. She also said this is not the time for politics and firmly stood by PM Modi on whatever decisions he takes.

- Jagan Mohan Reddy of YSRCP said, "Thanks to PM, India’s reputation has risen globally. He has built key strategic partnerships across the world. You are our strength Prime Minister. India has gained envy of many. They (China) are trying to destabilise India." 

- MK Stalin of DMK said, "We are united when it comes to patriotism." Welcoming the recent statements of PM Modi on the China issue, he said "Efforts should also have been made to talk politically. We failed to use all such avenues and the result was the loss of lives."

Stalin further said, "PM should share more details. The nation needs assurance that the status quo ante restored. What is the current status of the mountain strike core? Opposition parties should be briefed regularly."

-Conrad Sangma of NPP said, "Infra work along the border should not stop. Strong Infra on border areas shouldn’t stop. China sponsored activities in Myanmar and Bangladesh is worrying," adding "PM has been working on infra in the Northeast and that must go on."

He further said, "please let us not say anything to the press. Or something wrong to the people that shows differences. China exploits this. We should not speak anti-government."