Days after it raised doubts over BJP's claim that the boat was carrying terrorists, inviting a sharp reaction from the ruling party, Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma sought to make it clear that his party has always been "in the forefront to fight terrorism".
At the same time, he slammed as "churlish and irresponsible" BJP President Amit Shah's remarks whether Congress was contesting elections in India or Pakistan.
"There is infrastructure of terror and organizations operating from Pakistan territory which have to be dismantled. This has been our consistent position whether in power or out of power. There is no dilution of that and the country has to speak in one voice," Sharma said in a statement.
He, however noted that at the same time it is incumbent upon the government and government agencies to speak in one voice.
"So the government should place the facts before the country and the Home Minister and the Defence Minister should consult each other before making statements which creates confusion," Sharma said.
He alleged that it confirms "arrogance" and also portrays the ruling party as "irresponsible".
"We also have a history of fighting terrorism and making the supreme sacrifices. Our leaders including Indira and Rajiv Gandhi were martyred. We do not need a certificate on patriotism either from Amit Shah, the BJP or the RSS....They should not arrogate to themselves the right to give the certificate who is patriotic and who is not," he said.