The Hindu : National : BJP charge uncalled for, says Congress

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 30, 2004

National

National

BJP charge uncalled for, says Congress

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JUNE 29. The Congress today described the charge of the Bharatiya Janata Party that the Government was weakening India's position on Kashmir as a "calculated attempt to mislead the people." In a statement, the Congress spokesman, Anand Sharma, said it was unfortunate that the BJP had chosen to drag the Foreign Secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan into "an uncalled for controversy for furtherance of its agenda."

Stating that there was no question of any third party being involved in the talks between India and Pakistan, as alleged by the BJP, he said Monday's joint statement by India and Pakistan after the Foreign Secretary-level talks reiterated the "bilateral aspect of the Jammu and Kashmir issue."

Mr. Sharma also sought to remind the BJP that the Congress had extended its "wholehearted support to the process of negotiations" and never treated the Kashmir issue as a "partisan political matter" right through the rule of the National Democratic Alliance.

Mr. Sharma also questioned the BJP's concern over the interaction that various Hurriyat leaders had with the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan. "The BJP leadership appears to be suffering from a selective loss of memory. It may be recalled that the same persons had a meeting with the President of Pakistan in 2001 at the time of the failed Agra Summit. Citizens are free to meet whoever they want and this should be seen in the context of our vibrant, open, transparent and democratic political system."

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