Rajnath admits rift with J&K ally

Home Minister Rajnath Singh admitted to the “ideological difference” between the PDP and the BJP.

Clarifying the Modi government’s stand over the release of separatist leader Masarat Alam Bhat, the home minister told Parliament on Monday that the Centre was not satisfied with the clarification of the Jammu and Kashmir government and had asked for further clarification.

The home minister said that the government would not make any compromise on the “unity and integrity” of the country. 

He said he has asked for more clarifications and if required, the government  would issue a strong advisory to the J&K government.

However, opposition members remained dissatisfied with the clarification. They forced the Rajya Sabha to adjourn for the day by disrupting the House. They accused the government of compromising national security. They accused it of making some behind the curtain discussions” with the PDP.

In his clarification to the Rajya Sabha, the home minster said that the government had asked for a report from the state government.

 “The report has been received. The state government has informed that 27 criminal cases, including attempt to murder and sedition, had been registered against Alam and he was detained under the Public Safety Act after he got bail in all the cases,” said the Home Minister.

He said that according to the report, the high court has ruled that no one could be detained under Public Safety Act for more than two years on the same ground.  
Admitting to ideological difference with the PDP, Singh took a dig at the Congress and said his party has an association of only 10 days, the Congress had a long association with the PDP.

“If they have any colour, it must be your influence,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present during the statement of the home minister. After the clarification was over, Leader of Opposition Gulam Nabi Azad raised issue that why the prime minister did not speak in the Rajya Sabha despite the fact that he did so in the Lok Sabha.

The Opposition took it as “undermining the Upper House” and the Congress and the JD-U members trooped into the wall.

“We want to know what transpired behind the curtain,” said Sharad Yadav.
The disruptions led to adjournment of the House for the day.

Earlier in the day, the Opposition raised the issue during pre-lunch session and disrupted proceedings.

PDP member Mir Mohammad Fayaz slammed the Congress for raising the issue. He reminded that the PDP-Congress coalition had released Hurriyat leaders including Yasin Malik.