‘I said there should be no immediate war with Pakistan’: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah clarifies his ‘no war’ remark | Bengaluru News

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

NEW DELHI: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday clarified remarks suggesting there was “no need for war” with Pakistan following the lethal Pahalgam terror assault that killed 26 individuals.

In an announcement shared by way of information company ANI, Siddaramaiah said, “I mentioned that war is inevitable but must be with Pakistan. I did not say there should be no war at all. It is the central government’s responsibility to ensure security. In the Pahalgam incident, 26 people lost their lives. I only said there should not be an immediate war.”
The controversy erupted after Siddaramaiah, whereas talking in Mysuru on Saturday, acknowledged that India should not rush into war with Pakistan and as a substitute deal with strengthening safety measures.
“We usually are not in favour of war. There should be peace, and the central authorities should guarantee individuals really feel safe,” he said, adding that strict security steps should have been implemented in the region.
Criticising the Centre for security lapses, Siddaramaiah pointed out that the attack occurred in a prominent tourist zone where safety should have been a priority. He referenced the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, saying,
“In the identical area, 40 troopers had been martyred earlier. There had been each intelligence and safety failures. The central authorities failed to supply enough safety.”
The Karnataka chief minister also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not attending the all-party meeting convened after the attack.
“The PM should have been current. Which is extra necessary — Bihar election campaigning or addressing a nationwide safety difficulty?” he asked.
Reacting strongly, leader of oppposition R Ashoka accused Siddaramaiah of lacking basic understanding of national security despite his long political career. “It is Karnataka’s misfortune that a two-time CM with 40 years of experience does not know what to say at critical moments,” Ashoka said.
He additional alleged that Siddaramaiah’s feedback posed a “direct challenge to India’s sovereignty and dignity” and accused him of enjoying into enemy palms at a time when unity was essential.
“At such a sensitive time, the nation must rise above politics and speak in one voice,” Ashoka said, noting that even the Congress nationwide management had pledged assist to the Centre’s actions.
The BJP charged Siddaramaiah with performing like a “puppet” of an enemy nation, particularly with tensions working excessive alongside the border.