Maharashtra News: NCP (SP) Leader Supriya Sule Clarifies Absence From INDIA Bloc Letter, Cites Diplomatic Duty & National Security

Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) MP Supriya Sule on Thursday clarified her position on not signing the INDIA alliance’s letter demanding a special session of Parliament, stating that the request should have been made after the return of multi-party delegations from their international visits.

Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai upon her return from a diplomatic tour to Qatar, South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia, Sule explained that she was representing India abroad and could not simultaneously advocate for a parliamentary debate on Operation Sindoor. The operation is India’s response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, targeting terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

“I couldn’t be demanding a special session of Parliament and a debate while putting forth my country’s point of view abroad at the same time,” Sule said. “My party's stand was that there was no need for a debate while Operation Sindoor was still underway. Pawar Saheb has always said that on matters of foreign affairs and national security, one has to support the government of the day.”

The Congress-led INDIA bloc, comprising 16 opposition parties, recently submitted a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding a special Parliament session to discuss the Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor, and the broader security situation. Sule, however, maintained that such discussions are better suited for the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament.

Reflecting on her diplomatic tour, Sule described it as productive, adding that all four countries visited expressed strong solidarity with India and unequivocally condemned terrorism. “The leadership of these nations also appreciated the de-escalation efforts following the Pahalgam incident,” she noted.

Addressing speculation about a possible reunion between the two rival factions of the Nationalist Congress Party — one led by her father Sharad Pawar and the other by her cousin Ajit Pawar — Sule dismissed the reports, saying, “There is no storm in a teacup as is being made out.” She affirmed her continued participation in the INDIA alliance, adding, “You will see us in the INDIA bloc meeting when it is convened.”

Sule also said she had informed Congress leaders in advance that she would join the INDIA alliance meetings after completing her overseas engagements.