Congress distances itself from P Chidambaram's radical view on J&K

NEW DELHI: The AICC on Tuesday distanced itself from former Home Minister and party leader P Chidambaram’s call for granting more autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir and lifting Armed Forces Special Power Act. In a subtle rejection of his stand, the Congress said all senior party leaders should follow the party line on J&K issue and also should apply caution while airing their views when Kashmir is witnessing an extraordinarily sensitive time.

"I want to urge all senior colleagues of my party to follow the Congress Party’s line on J&K", said AICC general secretary and former J&K Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in a response to a question on Congress comments about Chidambaram’s call for more autonomy and lifting AFSPA.

Azad comments came at the official AICC briefing. He refused to elaborate when asked to elaborate on "the Congress line on J&K". Azad than pointed out that Kashmir is currently undergoing an extraordinarily sensitive time and said, "Therefore, I urge all polical leaders, including the Congress colleagues" to be extra cautious about what they comment about issues related to Kashmir. "My appeal also includes media persons," Azad said.

While proposing a radical solution to the situation in Kashmir, P Chidambaram recently advocated 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". He had also favored lifting of AFSPA from many areas.