lashing out at former Home Minister P Chidambaram over his proposal on the Kashmir issue, the BJP on Thursday asserted that the Modi Government will secure the unity and integrity of the country without any compromise and hit out at those “sympathising” with terrorists.
“This is nothing but cheap politics. This compromises national security of India,” said Information & Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu at Press conference here and termed Chidambaram’s comments objectionable. He said it was least expected from a former Home Minister.
On Wednesday, Chidambaram suggested restoring the “grand bargain” under which Kashmir had acceded to India by granting a large degree of autonomy, warning that otherwise the country will have to pay a “heavy price”. The former Home Minister under the Congress-led UPA also suggested relaxing the AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) applicable in Jammu & Kashmir.
“After losing power, he is giving sermons. Our party and Government are committed to the unity and security of the country. Its unity and integrity is paramount and not the life of a terrorist. We will secure it without any compromise whatsoever,” Naidu said.
Attacking Chidambaram over his reported comments that there is a sense of fear in Kashmir over the PDP’s alliance with BJP, he said Congress aligned with National Conference and PDP all these years and was not able to digest the “historical turn” the State had taken with the PDP-BJP alliance in power.
“He speaks about broken promises. He should say which promises. Now he remembers them. Congress ruled the country for all these years. It formed Governments with NC and PDP. He was the Home Minister. He should say which were the promises not fulfilled.
“What did successive Governments, from Nehruji to Soniaji, doIJ...This is nothing but doing politics over national security for short term benefits,” Naidu said, hitting out at some “arm-chair” politicians and sections of media.
On the killing of Burhan Wani, which recently triggered protests in the valley, the Minister accused some parties and columnists of directly or indirectly showing sympathies with the terrorist, who was wanted in 15 murder cases, by making it a big issue.
“How can anybody sympathise with terroristsIJ Those who are carrying out propaganda about Kashmir are doing injustice to the country,” said the Information & Broadcasting Minister.