AMN
Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu today attacked Congress over its leaders’ contradictory remarks on Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan and said such comments reflect political opportunism and lack of maturity of the opposition party.
Briefing reporters in New Delhi, Mr. Naidu said the Congress leaders and think tanks during the UPA rule, Salman Khurshid, Kapil Sibal and P Chidambaram have made contradictory comments which show the inconsistency in the stand of opposition party on Pakistan. He said, it is strange that their own party is compelled to distance itself from their remarks.
Mr. Naidu also hit out at Mr. Chidambaram for his comments that the Congress, National Conference and PDP should come together to find a solution to the prevailing situation in Kashmir. He alleged that the grand old party is trying to destabilise the elected government in the state. The Minister asked the political parties to be sensitive and realistic over the Kashmir issue and act accordingly. He also appealed them to not play politics over the issue and come together to bring normalcy in the valley.
Earlier, P Chidambaram had blamed the PDP-BJP government for the unrest in Kashmir Valley and said the statements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have exacerbated the crisis. Another party leader Salman Khurshid had attacked the Prime Minister for raking up Balochistan issue in his Independence Day address. Congress has distanced itself from the two leaders’s comments terming them as personal views. Kapil Sibal had also expressed his view against the party line.
While Congress leader Anand Sharma has termed Venkaiah Naidu’s comments on Congress regarding Kashmir issue as unwarranted and irresponsibe. Talking to media, Mr Sharma said Congress, in Government or outside, has been clear on the need to fight terrorism and terror syndicate that operates from Pakistan. He said individual comments and observations should not be misrepresented as Congress lacking clarity and firmness in its position. He made it clear that Kashmir is an integral part of India and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir is the real issue for India.