'Congress Should Form Coalition Govts In Afghanistan, Pak': Assam CM Over Stand On Israel-Hamas War

The chief minister stated that the Congress resolution does not mention terrorism, Hamas, or women and children as hostages, but only Palestine, which is similar to Pakistan's statement.

File Photo Of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma

Source : PTI Images

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the Congress, which passed a resolution in support of Palestine in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, should form coalition governments in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Congress should have condemned Hamas' 'terror' attack on Israel before discussing Palestine, the chief minister told reporters in Jorhat on Thursday night, as reported by news agency PTI.

"They should have criticised the Hamas for taking women and children hostage and then could have spoken about Palestine," he was quoted as saying by PTI. 

The chief minister stated that the Congress resolution does not mention terrorism, Hamas, or women and children as hostages, but only Palestine, which is similar to Pakistan's statement.

"If you ask me, the Congress should form its next government in coalition with the Taliban in Afghanistan or with Imran Khan or Shahbaz Sharif in Pakistan,"  Sarma was quoted as saying by PTI.

The chief minister had previously slammed the Congress over the CWC resolution on the Israel-Hamas conflict, comparing the opposition party's position to that of Pakistan and the Taliban.

Sarma stated in a post on X that the Congress, Pakistan, and Taliban "do not condemn" Hamas or deplore terror attacks on Israel, and that they are silent on women and children being held hostage.

Sarma claimed that sacrificing the national interest for appeasement politics is in the DNA of Congress.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated on Thursday that India considers Hamas attacks on Israeli cities to be terrorist attacks.

In response to a question about India's position on the Palestine issue, he stated that New Delhi has always advocated for the resumption of direct talks aimed at establishing a sovereign, independent, and viable Palestinian state living side by side and at peace with Israel. 

In the midst of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, the Congress Working Committee passed a resolution on Monday (October 9) reiterating its long-standing support for Palestinians' rights to land and self-government, and calling for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations on outstanding issues.

The CWC expressed its sorrow over the war that has erupted in the Middle East, killing over a thousand people, in a resolution passed during its four-hour meeting.

"The CWC reiterates its long-standing support for the rights of the Palestinian people to land, self-government and to live with dignity and respect," the statement read.

On Saturday morning (October 7), Israel was hit by a surprise and unprecedented attack by Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip.