The political temperature rose sharply in New Delhi after the Bharatiya Janata Party launched a fierce attack on Congress and India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, accusing him of compromising national interests during his tenure. Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, party MP Sambit Patra levelled a series of serious allegations related to foreign policy decisions, internal security and the 1962 war with China.
Patra claimed that key decisions taken during Nehru’s leadership had long-term consequences for India’s sovereignty and security. Referring to the Panchsheel Agreement era, he alleged that India’s position on Tibet ultimately benefited China and weakened India’s strategic standing in the region. He further stated that warnings regarding Chinese infrastructure development in Aksai Chin were allegedly ignored at the highest level, which, according to him, contributed to tensions that later escalated into the 1962 India-China war.
The BJP leader also criticised Nehru’s military appointments, alleging that leadership choices and strategic policies during that period adversely affected India’s preparedness in the conflict with China. He linked these decisions to what he described as policy misjudgments that had lasting consequences for national security.
In addition, Patra brought up the Berubari issue, asserting that territorial adjustments with Pakistan were made despite legal and political complexities. He questioned the circumstances under which constitutional changes were introduced to facilitate the transfer of territory, claiming that such decisions were taken without adequate transparency.
The BJP MP further alleged that foreign intelligence agencies had significant influence in government circles during that time. Without presenting documentary proof at the press conference, he claimed that operatives linked to both American and Soviet intelligence networks were active in the corridors of power in the 1960s. He suggested that this environment raised concerns about the handling of sensitive national documents and strategic information.
The Congress party has consistently rejected similar accusations in the past, maintaining that Nehru’s foreign policy decisions were shaped by the geopolitical realities of a newly independent nation navigating Cold War pressures. Party leaders have often defended his legacy, arguing that his leadership laid the foundation for India’s democratic institutions, industrial growth and global standing.
