NEW DELHI, (PTI):- The Congress on Monday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not condemning the continued US-Israeli air assaults on Iran as it slammed his statement in the Lok Sabha on the West Asia crisis, calling it “a master class in self-boasts, cowardice and partisan dialogue-baazi”.

Expressing concern over the prime minister’s “invocation of Covid” in his speech, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the government’s response to the pandemic had been “catastrophic” and the nation cannot forget the deeply depressing scenes of that time when people walked barefoot for hundreds of kilometres and “thousands died without oxygen”.

In his statement, the prime minister on Monday called for a united approach, as was visible during the COVID-19 pandemic, to tide over the West Asia crisis.

The principal opposition party also demanded a discussion on the West Asia crisis in Parliament so that all sides are heard.

“The prime minister’s uncharacteristically short speech in the Lok Sabha today was, as usual, a master class in self-boasts, cowardice, and partisan dialogue-baazi,” Ramesh said in his post on X.

“Not a single word was uttered in condemnation of the continued US-Israeli air assaults on Iran. Iran’s attack on the Gulf countries and the Strait of Hormuz are, to be sure, completely unacceptable – but so is the relentless bombing of Iran with the objective of regime change and state collapse,” the Congress leader said.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra claimed that Prime Minister Modi did not say anything new in his statement on the West Asia situation in the Lok Sabha and demanded a discussion in Parliament so all sides can put forward their views.

“He informed the country about the situation, did not say anything new,” she said outside Parliament House complex.

“The notice we have given for discussion should happen so that we can also reply and all sides can put forward their views. It would be good if a discussion happens in Parliament,” the Congress general secretary said.

Reaffirming India’s unwavering commitment to humanity and peace, the prime minister said in the Lok Sabha that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only path to resolution and every Indian effort is directed at de-escalation and the cessation of hostilities in West Asia.

Addressing apprehensions of fuel shortage, he said the government is in constant touch with suppliers from various countries to ensure that oil and gas supplies continue from wherever possible and informed that all power plants in the country have adequate coal stock. He also said that India is well prepared in terms of food security.

He recalled how even during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated global supply chain disruptions, when urea prices soared to Rs 3,000 per bag in international markets, the government ensured that Indian farmers received the same bag at less than Rs 300.

He urged the country to unite just as it had stood together during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Urging patience, restraint, and vigilance, and cautioning against those who may seek to exploit the situation by spreading falsehoods, engaging in black-marketing, or hoarding, Modi appealed through the House to all state governments to ensure strict monitoring and swift action against such elements.

Responding to the prime minister’s statement, Ramesh said he also continued his “bluster on India’s economic growth record”. A few days ago, he said, the PM’s own former Chief Economic Advisor went on record warning that India’s economic growth in Modi’s tenure was significantly overestimated.

“The PM seems to believe that if he doesn’t engage with this very credible and disturbing report, he can wish it away,” he said.

“Finally, the PM’s invocation of the COVID-19 pandemic is concerning. His government’s response was uniquely catastrophic. The nation cannot forget the deeply depressing scenes which became all too normal then – lakhs of migrants walking barefoot to their homes, thousands dying from oxygen shortages, and millions left unemployed. We can only hope there is more preparedness this time,” the Congress leader said in his post.