Patna: Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the central government, questioning its preparedness and intelligence lapses in connection with the recent Pahalgam terror attack that killed over two dozen people, including tourists and an Intelligence Bureau officer from Bihar.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Mahagathbandhan allies at the Congress state office in Patna, Tejashwi raised multiple questions about the lack of security in a region that had over 2,000 tourists at the time of the attack. “If there were so many civilians in Pahalgam, why was there no adequate security? Why are investigative agencies not deployed against terrorists?” he asked, referencing statements from victims’ families, including that of Vinay Narwal, who reportedly died after an hour and a half without assistance.
The Mahagathbandhan—comprising the RJD, Congress, and other opposition parties—also passed a resolution condemning terrorism and announced a state-wide candlelight march on Friday at 7pm from Income Tax roundabout to Dak Bungalow Square in Patna, along with similar tributes planned across all districts in Bihar.
Tejashwi’s remarks were part of a broader critique of national security policy under the BJP-led central government. “Since 2014, 413 civilians and 630 security personnel have lost their lives in terror attacks. Who takes responsibility for such continued negligence?” he asked.
He further questioned the status of the Pulwama attack investigation, expressing frustration that no conclusive findings have been made public, and highlighted the recurring deaths of Bihari migrants in Kashmir, asking, “If they go there for work and die in such attacks, who answers to their families?”
The press conference followed a one-hour-fifteen-minute meeting of Mahagathbandhan leaders, which included Bihar Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh, Congress in-charge Avinash Pande, and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) leader Mukesh Sahani. Tejashwi joined the meeting later and participated in a minute’s silence for the victims.
The opposition bloc’s strong stance reflects a mounting pressure on the government to respond to questions about intelligence failures and rising concerns over civilians’ safety in conflict-prone regions.
