The Congress on Monday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning his priorities after he tweeted condolences over flood casualties in Texas, USA, while remaining silent on the devastating floods in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district that have claimed over 70 lives.
Leading the charge was Congress media and publicity head Pawan Khera, who took to social media platform X to criticize the Prime Minister's silence on a disaster unfolding within the country. “The Prime Minister of India has not spoken a single word about the suffering in Mandi, where over 70 people have died. But he mourns the loss of lives in Texas?” Khera wrote.
“Texas may be thousands of miles away, but it seems to be closer to Modi ji’s heart than the people of Mandi,” he added in a stinging remark that quickly went viral.
In a follow-up post in Hindi, Khera accused the Prime Minister of selective empathy. “Modi ji can see disasters across oceans, but not the destruction under his feet. If someone abroad is pricked by a thorn, he tweets instantly. But here, dozens have died in Himachal and he hasn’t uttered a word. Has compassion too become political?”
The Congress leader was referring to PM Modi’s tweet from Saturday, in which he expressed grief over the loss of lives in the Texas floods, particularly mentioning children. “Deeply saddened to learn about loss of lives, especially children, in the devastating floods in Texas. Our condolences to the US Government and the bereaved families,” Modi had posted.
Khera’s criticism comes at a time when Himachal Pradesh is reeling under relentless monsoon fury. Since June 20, at least 78 deaths have been reported across the state, with 50 directly linked to rain-related disasters like cloudbursts, landslides, and flash floods. Over 30 people remain missing, mostly from Mandi’s Thunag, Gohar, and Karsog regions, where rescue operations are still underway.
With visuals of collapsed roads, submerged homes, and frantic rescue efforts dominating social media, the Congress has accused the central government of apathy toward its own citizens. “Is the grief of Indian citizens less important? Or are expressions of compassion now reserved only for international diplomacy?” Khera asked.
Political observers see the Congress’ attack as an attempt to corner the Prime Minister on emotional and humanitarian grounds, especially with the 2025 state elections and 2026 general elections on the horizon.
