Amid the controversy stirred by Congress MP and former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's remarks questioning the 2019 surgical strikes, senior party leader Harish Rawat on Saturday clarified that the Congress’s position remains unwavering in support of the armed forces and national unity.

"Our leadership has clearly stated that this is not the time to raise past issues; this is a time to demonstrate national unity. Congress stands firmly for unity," Rawat told reporters, seeking to downplay the impact of Channi’s comments that triggered sharp criticism from the ruling BJP.

Rawat added, “We have clearly said that we support any action taken to crush terrorism and strike at Pakistan, which supports it. Sometimes, old realities unintentionally slip out in someone’s words, but our official stand is clear.”

The remarks by Channi earlier this week — in which he claimed “no one saw” the surgical strikes carried out by Indian forces following the Pulwama terror attack — were seized upon by BJP leaders, who accused him of demoralising the armed forces and undermining a critical national security operation.

Channi had said, “Till date, I could not find where the (surgical) strike took place, where men were killed at that time, and where this happened in Pakistan. Nothing had happened. Nowhere was a surgical strike seen. Nobody came to know. I have always demanded (proof).”

Rawat’s statement appears to be an effort at damage control, as the Congress looks to reaffirm its commitment to national security and disassociate itself from individual remarks that deviate from its official line. The party had earlier supported the government in the aftermath of the recent Pahalgam terror attack and called for strong action against perpetrators.