NEW DELHI : A war of words broke out today between the Narendra Modi government and the Congress today on the Kashmir issue with Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu accusing the Opposition party of being insensitive to the situation in the Valley.
The charge was refuted by the Opposition party. Talking to a television channel, Mr Naidu slammed as ‘political opportunism’ the statement made by senior Congress leader and former Union Home Minister P Chidambaram.
In a statement yesterday, Mr Chidambaram had blamed the Peoples Democratic Party-Bharatiya Janata Party government in Jammu and Kashmir for the deterioration of the situation in the Valley.
He also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comments had further exacerbated the crisis. Mr Chidambaram also proposed that the Congress, National Conference and, if willing, the PDP must come together to find a solution.
“I am concerned that situation in Jammu and Kashmir is sliding into total chaos. The PDP-BJP government is squarely responsible for the sharp deterioration in the past six weeks.
The statements of the Prime Minister, Home Minister and Defence Minister have exacerbated the crisis. Moderation in words and actions alone can retrieve the situation,” Mr Chidambaram had said.
The Congress, however, distanced itself from the remarks of Mr Chidambaram, saying these were his “personal and individual views”. “Obviously, unless any party line is announced, it is his view.
But an individual view is not to be seen the way you are seeing it…Somebody has expressed a hope and that is his personal view,” Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said. Slamming the remarks by Mr Chidambaram, Mr Naidu said,”Congress has once again displayed its insensitivity on the Kashmir issue.
Its own leaders are not in consonance.One day, Kapil Sibal says something. The very next day, Congress disowns it. These statements and contradictions show lack of maturity and signs of political opportunism.. ”It appears that Congress leaders are not guided by national interest but political opportunism.
Why is the Congress trying to exonerate Pakistan? I appeal to them to be sensitive, realistic, and act and speak accordingly,”Mr Naidu said. Refuting the statement by Mr Naidu, the Congress said it had always stressed on the need to fight terrorism and also the terror syndicate that operates from Pakistan.
”The statements by Mr Naidu are unwarranted, irresponsible and most unfortunate. The Congress, in Government or outside, has been clear on the need to fight terrorism and also the terror syndicate that operates from Pakistan,”AICC spokesperson Anand Sharma said.
”That was why we asked Mr Modi to tell the nation and the opposition leaders about the understanding reached between him and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif,”Mr Sharma said. (AGENCIES)
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