Gaurav Gogoi demands Centre “tell the truth” on Operation Sindoor in Lok Sabha today

As the Lok Sabha prepares for a special discussion on ‘Operation Sindoor’, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has signaled a strong Opposition stance, asserting that the government must “tell the truth” during today’s debate.

Speaking to reporters, Gogoi stated that the Congress will submit a list of its speakers to the Speaker’s Office ahead of the session. “Today, the government will have to come clean. The people of India deserve to know the facts behind Operation Sindoor,” he said.

When asked about senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram’s remarks—wherein the former Union Minister stated there was “no proof that the Pahalgam attackers came from Pakistan”—Gogoi clarified that Chidambaram would be best positioned to elaborate further. “He will be able to give more details on his statement,” Gogoi added.

Gogoi also touched upon the petition signed by Congress MPs in the Lok Sabha, reportedly in connection with issues surrounding Justice Verma and questions raised in the media regarding the former Vice President. “We believe this matter deserves deliberation. The government must clarify its stand on the concerns raised,” he said.

The remarks come amid heightened political tensions as Parliament debates India’s retaliatory strikes post the Pahalgam terror attack under Operation Sindoor. 

A 16-hour-long debate is expected to unfold across both Houses of Parliament, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expected to open the discussion in the Lok Sabha. Other key members likely to participate include Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and BJP MPs Anurag Thakur and Nishikant Dubey.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to intervene during the Lok Sabha debate and may speak in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. His anticipated remarks follow earlier demands by the Opposition for the PM’s direct response, especially in light of former US President Donald Trump’s claims of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam incident.

The Opposition bloc, led by the INDIA alliance, is preparing to engage critically in the debate. Samajwadi Party leaders Akhilesh Yadav and MP Rajiv Rai will represent their party, while the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), allotted 30 minutes, will be represented by MPs Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu and GM Harish Balayogi.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed the schedule, stating that all parties have been informed that the discussion on Operation Sindoor will take precedence over other matters such as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar. “All issues cannot be taken up at once. The priority is to debate India’s response to terrorism,” he said.