PM Narendra Modi hugs the new Jammu and Kashmir CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to respond to a series of
controversial remarks made by their newest ally, Jammu and Kashmir's
People's Democratic Party as he addresses the Rajya Sabha for his
customary reply to President Pranab Mukherjee's address on
Tuesday.The Lok Sabha was adjourned twice on Tuesday following protests by the opposition over controversial comments made by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and the PDP, which has demanded that the mortal remains of Afzal Guru be handed over to his family. Afzal Guru, sentenced to death in the 2001 Parliament attack case, was hanged secretly in New Delhi's Tihar jail on February 9, 2013.
The Lok Sabha met at 11 am but was soon adjourned till 11.30 am and then till 11.45 am during the question hour as opposition leaders demanded an answer from Modi on Sayeed's statement giving credit to militants and Pakistan for the smooth conduct of Assembly elections in the state. "It is for the PM to stand up and say whether he agrees to the PDP demand," Congress leader Manish Tiwari said.
BJP frowns at PDP's Afzal Guru demand
The note evoked a sharp response from the BJP. "If the PDP continues to speak outside the Common Minimum Program, we will have to remove Article 370," BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said. "We have to read the statement in detail. Only then can I comment," Minister of State in the PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh, said.
Mufti stands by Pakistan remark
The PDP's demand regarding Guru, which is likely to embarrass their junior partner, the BJP, came shortly after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed stood by his controversial statement that Pakistan is helping restore democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. "Indian constitution allows democratic process in Jammu and Kashmir. Even Pakistan has understood that it is the only way to start democracy in the state," Mufti said, adding, "The media is making a mountain out of mole hill about my statement."
Mufti's daughter and People's Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti also defended her father in an exclusive interview with the Headlines Today. "My father has not said anything wrong on Jammu and Kashmir elections as during the Assembly elections, violence was less as compared to Parliament elections," she said.
Sayeed had said that the Hurriyat, militant outfits and "people from across the border" - an oblique reference to Pakistan - allowed conducive atmosphere for the state Assembly elections held late last year. "I want to say this on record and I have told this to the Prime Minister that the we must credit the Hurriyat, militant outfits for the conduct of Assembly elections in the state," Sayeed said during a press conference in Jammu after being sworn in as head of the PDP-BJP government at a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Rajnath dissociates BJP, Centre from Mufti's comments
On Monday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh distanced the Modi government and the BJP from the controversial remarks. "Our government and BJP fully dissociates with the statement of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed crediting Pakistan and Hurriyat for smooth conduct of assembly," Rajnath said in the Lok Sabha.
"We want PM Narendra Modi to speak on matter in Parliament and condemn the statement given by Jammu and Kashmir chief minister so that a clear message can be given," Congress Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said. Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav backed that demand.
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