Karnataka Congress chief B K Hariprasad on Wednesday accused BJP leader Ram Madhav of holding four 'secret' meetings with Pakistani officials, including an officer from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Hariprasad demanded that Madhav clarify whether he had authorisation from the Indian government to conduct such dialogues.
Allegations of undisclosed Track-2 diplomacy
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Hariprasad claimed that Madhav met Pakistani representatives on multiple occasions without public disclosure. 'These were not official Track-2 dialogues but clandestine meetings. The people of Karnataka and India deserve to know if he had permission,' Hariprasad said. He did not provide specific dates or locations of the alleged meetings.
Madhav's denial and response
Ram Madhav has denied the allegations, stating that he did not participate in any Track-2 dialogue with Pakistan. In a social media post, he called the claims 'baseless and politically motivated.' The BJP has not issued an official statement, but party sources dismissed the charges as an attempt to distract from local issues.
Political implications in Karnataka
The accusation comes amid heightened political tensions in Karnataka, where the Congress government faces criticism over various governance issues. Hariprasad's remarks are seen as an effort to shift focus to national security, a topic that often resonates with voters. Political analysts note that such allegations could impact Madhav's standing within the BJP, especially given his role as a key strategist.
When asked for evidence, Hariprasad said he would present proof at an appropriate time. 'The Congress party has credible information about these meetings. We urge the central government to investigate,' he added.
