Fuel price hike, Covid-19 pandemic and the emerging health crisis along with the Galwan Valley standoff with China were the main issues discussed in the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting on Tuesday.
Called by Congress president Sonia Gandhi on 23 June, the meeting discussed the government’s actions on the standing policy with China over the Ladakh issue at a priority basis. It also discussed fuel price hike and the government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sonia Gandhi attacked the Modi government on the border issue and in her opening remarks said that there is a full-blown crisis on the LAC with China and the undeniable fact is that since April-May 2020 till date, Chinese troops have committed brazen transgressions into the Indian territories of Pangong Lake and the Galwan Valley in Ladakh. She also said that “true to its character, the government is in denial.”
She said that the intrusion was detected and reported on 5 May 2020. Instead of a resolution, the situation deteriorated rapidly and there were violent clashes on June 15-16. Twenty Indian soldiers were martyred, 85 injured and 10 went “missing” until they were returned.
The Prime Minister was called out when he announced that “no one had intruded into Indian territory in Ladakh”. On matters of national security and territorial integrity, the nation has always stood together and this time too, there is no second opinion.
As per the grand old party’s statement, the Congress was the first to offer its total support to the armed forces and the government and accused the government of mishandling the situation. In a statement, it said, “We urge upon the government that peace, calm and the restoration of the status quo ante along the LAC be the only guiding principles in our national interest. We will continue to closely watch the situation.”
Former PM Manmohan Singh too endorsed Sonia Gandhi by adding that the crisis on the border, which if not tackled firmly, can lead to a serious situation.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was also present in the CWC meeting and on the issue of LAC he said: “China has brazenly occupied our territory. PM Modi has destroyed our position and betrayed our army by accepting their position that they occupied no Indian land. The Chinese can’t be permitted to get away with this unacceptable usurpation of our land. Everything needs to be done to ensure that sacrifice of our martyrs is not in vain. One reason why China has acted is a complete and total failure of foreign policy.”
The Congress has passed a resolution and demanded that the government should put a cap on bills generated by the private hospitals for Covid treatment and moreover strict action should be taken against the insurance companies who are not cooperating with Covid patients.