New Delhi [India], April 29 (ANI): Amid the political row over Congress's 'Gayab' jibe allegedly targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari on Tuesday slammed the Congress party, claiming that it was acting in coordination with Pakistan.

Speaking to ANI, Bhandari claimed that the post was endorsed by a former minister from Pakistan, suggesting a 'jugalbandi' between the Congress party and the external influences.

'The Congress party is taking its orders from Pakistan. The same tweet of the Congress party was quote-tweeted by the former minister of Pakistan. So today it has become clear before the country that a 'jugalbandi' is going on between Congress and the deep state of Pakistan,' Bhandari said.

He further stated that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India would respond strongly to any threat from Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.

'Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India will give a befitting reply to the masters of terror of Pakistan,' he added.

This came following Congress's jibe at Prime Minister Modi for his absence in the all-party meeting to address the April 22 terror attack that killed 26 people.

The Congress party on Monday posted an image on X which had the word 'GAYAB' written over an image of a kurta pyjama and black footwear, and captioned it 'Jimmedariyo ke Samay-Gayab' (During the time to take responsibility-Missing).

BJP leader Amit Malviya also described the Congress as being reduced to a 'headless hydra, flailing without direction,' following the post.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla said, the action by the Congress party proved that it has become what he called 'Pakistan Prasth Party', a play on the acronym of Pakistan's Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Speaking to ANI, Shehzad Poonawalla said, 'It is now clear that the Congress party has become 'PPP-Pakistan Prasth Party'. Not only do both have the same script, but their work and culture have also become the same... Congress gave a clean chit to Pakistan in 26/11, in Pulwama, and now they are giving it in Pahalgam too...'

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's absence from the all-party meeting to address the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, stating that while the Prime Minister had time to campaign for the upcoming Bihar election, he did not attend any joint political discussions on the attack. (ANI)