New Delhi, March 2 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's controversial comments giving credit to Pakistan for the peaceful assembly election in the state created a furore in Rajya Sabha Monday, with the opposition terming it anti-national.
"The chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir was sworn in yesterday in the presence of prime minister (Narendra Modi), L.K. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and BJP president Amit Shah... A press conference was held soon after in which the chief minister made a statement which was most controversial and hurt the nation," Congress leader Shantaram Naik said, raising the issue in the house.
"He said elections were peaceful because of the forces 'us paar' (on the other side). He indicated Pakistan. Then (he said) because of millitants and because of Hurriyat... He gave credit to these three for peaceful elections in Jammu and Kashmir," Naik said.
Opposition members were heard chanting "shame shame" as the Congress member said this.
"This statement is anti-national. BJP spokespersons immediately went into action to salvage the situation and said it is an 'untrue' statement. BJP was embarrased. I will also say this is a violation of oath of office. Within minutes (of taking oath) he is violation the oath by showing allegiance to certain forces which are anti-national," said Naik.
"Secondly what is the role of election commission. It is election commission and security forces and people of Jammu and Kashmir who made this election possible. J&K chief minister did not give credit to any of them."
He also targeted the state government and said: "One of the ministers, his brother is in Hurriyat, no problem... his wife is Pakistani, still I don't know how they are going to tackle this issue."
"During election campaign, Modi very clearly said 370 par kam se kam charcha to karo (atleast discuss article 370)," he added, asking government for an explanation.
He was joined by Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader K.C. Tyagi who said BJP has murdered the ideology of Syama Prasad Mukherjee, founder of BJP's predecessor Bharatiya Jana Sangh.
"The prime minister was there in the oath taking ceremony. Mufti sahab was taking oath. At that time there were two flags on the dais, one of Jammu and Kashmir and one of India," said Tyagi.
"Mukherjee sahab was martyred against this, and yesterday they murdered his ideology," the JD-U leader said.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi tried to salvage the situation, saying the credit for peaceful election goes to the people of the state more than anyone else.
"All I have to say is that people of Jammu, Kashmir, Leh and Kargil have shown their respect for democracy and the way they participated in Lok Sabha and assembly elections, we salute them," Naqvi said.
"If credit goes to someone, it goes to the people first and election commission and the local and central security forces which helped in free and fair election," he said.
Within hours of taking oath as chief minister Sunday, Sayeed said: "There is Hurriyat, there are militants. If they had done something, it would not have been such an election, there would not have been such participation."
He also said that people from across the border also contributed to making the atmosphere conducive.
Sayeed also pitched for taking Hurriyat Conference and separatists on board in talks on the Kashmir problem.
Corona In Gurugram - Records made again, 1434 corona infected in one day
Gurugram The record of new patients coming daily every day in the district is being broken amidst the huge speed of corona infection. In the same sequence, on Thursday, the highest number of 1434 new
The heat of the sun became fatal: The scorching heat took the lives of 227 people including 164 from UP and 60 from Bihar, the first death in Delhi too
227 people died on Thursday across the country due to severe heat and heat waves. Out of these, a maximum of 164 deaths occurred in UP. At the same time, 60 people also died in Bihar. A maximum of 20
Bihar: Three brothers and sisters of Darbhanga won the Bihar Judicial Service Examination, and achieved success in the first attempt
Bihar Public Service Commission released the final result of the 31st Judicial Services Examination late on Monday night. A large number of students breathed a sigh of relief as soon as the result was
'China-Pakistan old friend, it started during Nehru'... Natwar Singh reminds Rahul of history
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday questioned the Modi government over the closeness between Pakistan and China. After this statement of Rahul Gandhi, BJP leaders are continuously attacking
Coal News : Chairman of Coal India said - will provide its share of coal to the power sector
Coal India Chairman Pramod Agarwal has assured the country's power sector about the supply of coal from CIL. CIL's Chairman has said that the company is fully prepared and committed to supplying its
IPL 2025: Mumbai captain Hardik is happy after scoring a four off victory, said- I am happy that the team is going in the right direction
Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya is very happy after winning four consecutive matches in IPL 2025. On Wednesday, the Mumbai team defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by seven wickets. After this victory,
Bill against Tech company: Meeting with US lawmakers increasing the CEO of the tech company, lobbying against the bill against anti-competitive conduct
The government and regulatory agencies in India are cracking down on the anti-competitive practices of big tech companies through new IT rules, amendments, and lawsuits, while laws are being brought
CM Yogi Cabinet: A total of 52 ministers, including the deputy CM, took an oath, know everything about every minister in the Yogi cabinet
The swearing-in of the ministers of the Bharatiya Janata Party, which secured a thumping majority in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, has been completed. CM Yogi Adityanath has once again
Trump surrounded at home: 'Relations with a strong ally like India should not be spoilt', Nikki Haley's advice to the government
US President Trump, who imposed tariffs on India for buying oil from Russia, is now getting surrounded in his own country on this issue. Senior US leader and presidential contender Nikki Haley has
Vande Bharat Train: These two states will get the gift of the 'Vande Bharat Express' train, which will be the speed
Vande Bharat Express Route In India: Indian Railways is soon going to give Vande Bharat Express Train to two states. A plan has been prepared to run the Vande Bharat Express train in the states of