NEW DELHI: After initially criticising the Centre for not inviting smaller parties to the all-party meeting regarding the Pahalgam terror attack, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi confirmed receiving an invitation on Thursday.
The terrorist attack in Pahalgam, south Kashmir, on Tuesday afternoon resulted in 26 casualties, predominantly tourists.
The Hyderabad MP emphasised the national significance of the all-party meeting whilst speaking to journalists. “Just now I got a call from the Home Minister’s office and they asked me to come (for the meeting). I will attend the meeting,” Owaisi said.
Earlier that day, Owaisi had posted on social media requesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to include all political parties, regardless of their parliamentary representation.
Owaisi took to X his conversation with Union minister of parliamentary affairs Kiren Rijiju from Wednesday night, stating the NDA government intended to invite only parties with ‘five or 10 MPs.’
He revealed that upon questioning the exclusion of smaller parties, the Union minister suggested the meeting would become ‘too long’ and ‘joked’ that the AIMIM leader’s ‘voice is anyway, too loud.’
“Your own party (BJP) does not have a majority. Whether it is a party with 1 MP or a 100, they were both elected by Indians and deserve to be heard on such an important matter. This is not a political issue, it is a national issue. Everyone must be heard. I urge Narendra Modi to make this a real ALL Party Meeting, every party with an MP in Parliament must be invited,” he wrote.
The Centre plans to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack with various political party leaders at Thursday evening’s meeting.
Owaisi stressed that this was not a BJP or any single party’s internal discussion, but rather an all-party meeting to demonstrate unity against terrorism and nations harbouring terrorists. “Can’t Narendra Modi spend an extra hour to hear the concerns of all parties?”
