Autonomy demand: JKNPP seeks Centre's explanation

Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) today sought an explanation from the Congress-led UPA government on the demand for autonomy for Kashmir voiced by Union minister Farooq Abdullah in Parliament yesterday.

"The Congress which has National Conference as its junior partner in the Central government and a senior in Jammu and Kashmir has every obligation to explain its conduct vis-a-vis the greater autonomy slogan of Abdullah's National Conference ever since Jammu and Kashmir has been caught in the flames of terrorism," JKNPP chairman Bhim Singh said in a statement.

Abdullah, participating in a debate in the Lok Sabha yesterday on the situation in Kashmir, pressed for autonomy for the state saying such a step would make India truly federal and strong.

"Abdullah is a member of the Central Cabinet and responsible to it. Whatever a minister speaks on the floor of Parliament, he speaks for the entire government. Does the Central government stand for more autonomy also?" Singh asked.