New Delhi [India], May 3 (ANI): Congress leader Harish Rawat on Saturday rebuked BJP MP Sambit Patra questioning his role as a spokesperson for the ruling party. Rawat emphasized that the Congress Working Committee (CWC) is leading national unity against the Pahalgam terror attack.

Speaking to ANI, Rawat stated that the opposition is standing with the government's action against terror and Pakistan. He added that the nation is expecting a strong step against terrorism.

'Is Sambit Patra the spokesperson of a national party in power or something else? With whom is he comparing India's oldest party and the biggest institution? On one hand, CWC is leading the national unity on the Pahalgam terror attack and on the other, he makes such hateful comments about the opposition party. Opposition is standing with the government's action against terror and Pakistan... The nation is expecting a big step,' Harish Rawat said.

Earlier today, Sambit Patra launched a scathing attack against the Congress after its leader, Charanjit Singh Channi, demanded proof for the surgical strikes carried out by the armed forces, labelling the party's working committee (CWC) as the Pakistan Working Committee.

'From the outside, they are the Congress Working Committee (CWC), but from the inside, they are PWC (Pakistan Working Committee),' Patra said in a press conference.

He said that it was the planning of the opposition party to hold a parallel press conference and cast doubts over the surgical strike carried out by the armed forces in retaliation against the 2019 Pulwama attack.

'CWC meeting was held yesterday, and some proposals were passed. Hathi ke daant dikhane ke aur, khane ke aur (A wolf in sheep's clothing). Right after that, a press conference was held, and former Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi said that the surgical strike had never been conducted after the Pulwama terrorist attack,' Patra said.

The remarks made by former Punjab Chief Minister and Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi stoked controversy by demanding proof of the surgical strikes carried out by the Indian armed forces in Pakistan territory in the past under the BJP government in the centre. Casting doubts over the strikes, the former Punjab CM said that he has always demanded proof.

Meanwhile, Rawat also expressed support to RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's letter to the Prime Minister, seeking data on backward classes to create effective schemes for their welfare. Rawat emphasized the need for social justice to reach the grassroots level, 75 years after independence.

'A lot of backward classes groups are present in the various sections of the society... We want that their data comes forth so that the working schemes can be made for the next 25 years... We support the demand of Tejashwi Yadav... It has been over 75 year of independence and social justice should now percolate to the roots of the nation...'

The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, decided to include caste enumeration in the upcoming census. (ANI)