“Modi’s mind stays cool, but his blood runs hot. And now, it’s not blood but blazing sindoor flowing through his veins.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered some of his most pointed remarks yet on Operation Sindoor and India’s military action targeting terror bases in Pakistan. Speaking at a rally in Bikaner on Thursday, his comments were aimed as much at Islamabad as at the domestic political audience — a reminder of the formidable narrative challenge facing the Opposition.

Since Modi’s BJP rose to prominence, the Opposition, particularly the Congress, has struggled to carve out its own nationalist identity in contrast to the BJP’s muscular, Hindutva-infused patriotism. This difficulty only intensifies during moments of military conflict — as witnessed during the Balakot airstrikes ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, and now, following events in Pahalgam. The Congress’s vision of an inclusive, less combative nationalism often gets drowned out by the BJP’s assertive rhetoric, personified by the Prime Minister himself — a trend likely to persist.

Despite its foundational role in the freedom movement, Congress has repeatedly failed to capitalize on nationalism as a political plank. Last month, during the extended Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Ahmedabad, the party attempted to clarify its stance, accusing the BJP and RSS of promoting “pseudo-nationalism” that undermines India’s diversity. However, theory hasn’t translated well into practice. The party’s inconsistent position on multi-party delegations — with communications chief Jairam Ramesh dismissing them as “weapons of mass distraction” — and its miscalculated targeting of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar over whether Pakistan was forewarned before India’s May 7 military strikes, risk making it appear petty rather than principled. The Ministry of External Affairs has since clarified that Jaishankar’s comments were misrepresented.

While it is the Opposition’s duty to question the government and demand accountability, Congress’s muddled handling of these issues has sparked unease within its ranks. As reported by Manoj C.G. and Asad Rehman, a senior party leader admitted the risk of self-inflicted damage, saying labeling Jaishankar an “informant” was “stretching it a bit too far.”

Editorials after the Ahmedabad AICC session acknowledged the uphill battle Congress faces in reclaiming the nationalism narrative. The party must find a way to engage BJP voters — many of whom supported Congress in the past but drifted away over the last decade. This will be especially critical in Bihar, where assembly elections loom later this year. But that won’t be possible if the party’s messaging on such a pivotal issue remains confused and reactionary. As the Prime Minister speaks of sindoor coursing through his veins and the BJP organises Tiranga Yatras, Congress must articulate a clear, confident, and inclusive vision of nationalism — one that offers voters a substantive alternative rather than a defensive retort.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the two-day Rising Northeast Investors Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi at 10:30 am today, an event expected to draw Chief Ministers from the Northeast, Union Ministers, senior officials, foreign diplomats, and over 2,000 investors and policymakers.

In Goa, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for a new observatory tower on the Zuari Bridge at 6 pm in Chicalim. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant noted that the tower, part of the broader bridge project linking North and South Goa, will offer visitors sweeping panoramic views of the region.