Centre distances itself from Mufti Mohammed Sayeed’s Pakistan statement

New Delhi: The Centre distanced itself on Monday from controversial remarks by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, who credited Pakistan, the Hurriyat and militants for peaceful Assembly polls in the state.

Amid uproar in the Lok Sabha as the Opposition sought the government’s reaction, home minister Rajnath Singh: “Our government and the BJP fully dissociate with the statement. The credit for (creating a) conducive environment for the polls in J&K goes to the Elec-tion Commission, armed forces and the people.”

The Opposition insisted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should make a statement. Mr Singh said he was making the statement after discussing the matter with the Prime Minister.

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said the issue was serious and Mr should make a statement. Dissatisfied with the home minister’s clarification, Congress and Trinamul MPs staged a walkout from the Lok Sabha.

Mr Kharge said the PM should have objected to the remark. Former Union minister and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also took a potshot.