BJP 'fooling' people on holding talks with Hurriyat: Congress

NEW DELHI: Congress today accused BJP of "fooling" the people of Kashmir on the issue of holding talks with separatists, saying it had already agreed on talking to Hurriyat under its agenda of governance with PDP.

"PDP and BJP in their Common Minimum Programme clause no 9...said that we will talk to Hurriyat," party spokesman Ajoy Kumar told reporters.

The two parties, which are ideologically opposite, share power in the sensitive border state where the Kashmir valley is witnessing unrest for nearly two months.

Besides, he recalled Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister late Mufti Mohd Sayeed had, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, thanked those "across the border" for peaceful elections in the state.

"But BJP says that we will not talk...So, whom are they fooling?" he said.

Kumar also targeted the Prime Minister for "schizophrenic" policy with regard to Pakistan and Kashmir.

He said that this has "harmed" the national interests.

This government goes by "self, selfie and self promotion", he said, adding the UPA had taken a consistent stand of not having talks with Pakistan till the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack were brought to book.