The recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the tragic loss of 26 lives, has ignited a political storm within the Indian National Congress. Senior Congress leader Udit Raj has launched a scathing attack on his party colleague, Shashi Tharoor, questioning his allegiance and accusing him of echoing the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) line on the issue. The controversy stems from Tharoor's remarks regarding the possibility of intelligence failure in connection with the attack, which he compared to the intelligence failure Israel experienced during the Hamas strike on October 7, 2023.

Udit Raj's criticism has been sharp and direct. Speaking to the news agency ANI, he questioned Tharoor's loyalty to the Congress party. "Is Shashi Tharoor in the Congress party or the BJP? Is he trying to become a super-BJP man?" Raj exclaimed. He further challenged Tharoor to question the BJP government regarding their plans for Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), implying that Tharoor had become an advocate for the ruling party.

Raj didn't stop there. He went on to question Tharoor's knowledge of terror attacks in America post-9/11, insinuating that Tharoor was acting as a spokesperson for the BJP. "I want to ask him which terrorist attack occurred in America after 9/11? Has the BJP made him its spokesperson?" Raj stated, highlighting the gravity of his accusations.

The core of the disagreement lies in Tharoor's assessment of the Pahalgam attack and his comparison to the situation in Israel. Tharoor had stated that no country possesses 100% foolproof intelligence and that failures are inevitable. He argued that, like Israel, India should focus on addressing the present crisis before demanding accountability from the government. This viewpoint, however, did not sit well with Udit Raj, who believes that Tharoor is letting the BJP off the hook too easily.

Udit Raj has also criticized Tharoor for not questioning Prime Minister Modi's actions following the attack. He questioned why Modi cut short his Saudi Arabia visit to hold a meeting at the airport, calling it a "drama." Raj further pointed out that Modi did not visit Pahalgam but instead attended an election rally in Bihar. He argued that Tharoor's silence on these matters suggests a bias towards the BJP.

Tharoor's comments on Pakistan have also drawn criticism. After Bilawal Bhutto, Chairman of the Pakistan People's Party, threatened India over the Indus Waters Treaty, Tharoor responded strongly, stating that if blood flows, it would likely flow more on Pakistan's side. While some view this as a firm stance against terrorism, Udit Raj may see it as aligning with the BJP's hawkish rhetoric.

The controversy comes at a time when tensions between India and Pakistan are already heightened following the Pahalgam attack. India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and is considering further actions against Pakistan, which it accuses of supporting terrorism. Tharoor's remarks and the subsequent backlash from Udit Raj have added another layer of complexity to the already strained relationship.

This public disagreement between senior Congress leaders has raised questions about the party's unity and its approach to dealing with sensitive issues like national security and terrorism. Some analysts believe that Tharoor's comments reflect his individual style, which often incorporates a global perspective and diplomatic approach. However, others, like Udit Raj, argue that such statements undermine the party's position and create confusion among the public. It remains to be seen how the Congress party will address this internal conflict and whether it will have any impact on its future political strategy.