The Congress on Friday told J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah that the state is an integral part of India and will remain so.
“Since 1947 till now, the Congress has always been firm that the state is an integral party of India and will remain so,” party spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters here.
The Congress, which has been sharing power with the National Conference in J&K and at the Centre, reiterated its position clear against the backdrop of Mr Abdullah’s October 6 speech in the state Assembly. He had said, “The accession of Jammu and Kashmir to India has taken place but the state had not merged with the country. Hence, it can’t be placed at par with Hyderabad or Junagarh,” he had said.
But Mr Tewari, however, refrained from commenting specifically on Mr Abdullah’s remarks. “I have not had the occasion to peruse his entire speech,” he said, adding that sometimes there are extrapolations in what one actually says and in what context.
When pointed out that senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi has flayed Mr Abdullah saying his remarks give rise to several apprehensions and amounts to backing the separatists, Mr Tewari said, “Things have returned to normal in Jammu and Kashmir after a long time and it is the responsibility of all mainstream parties to ensure that any statement on the issues concerning the state is given responsibly and with caution.”
He, however, refused to say whether the suggestion also applies to Mr Abdullah. The Congress spokesperson asked all political parties to exercise caution while airing their views on the situation there.