A political war of words has erupted after BJP MP Sambit Patra accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of "giving oxygen to Pakistan" in the wake of recent terror attacks. The comment has triggered a sharp rebuttal from Congress, with party General Secretary Jairam Ramesh questioning the BJP's own track record and demanding accountability over the Pahalgam terror incident.

Responding to Patra’s claim, Jairam Ramesh said, “Terrorists who were involved in the Pahalgam attack should be caught... China has given oxygen to Pakistan. It could not have fought this war without the help of China. We have raised a question about this partnership.”

Ramesh further pointed out past instances involving BJP leaders that contradict their current stance. “Who gave a clean chit to Jinnah and praised him? Jaswant Singh had praised him. Atal Bihari Vajpayee had taken out the Lahore bus yatra. Who had gone for breakfast with Nawaz Sharif? It was Narendra Modi,” he said, countering the BJP’s allegation by invoking diplomatic engagements initiated by senior BJP leaders.

Taking a jibe at the Centre’s recent move to send parliamentary delegations abroad to highlight cross-border terrorism, Ramesh added, “You are sending the MPs, but also catch the Pahalgam terrorists.”