On same page with Centre on Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has said that it has no differences with the central government on its stand on Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK), however, he has issues with the way government revoked Article 370 in the former state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking at an event ‘India in Crisis’ -- organised by the All India Professional Congress here on Thursday, Tharoor said Pakistan has no right over PoK and it has given a territory to China which does not belong to it. Tharoor stated it supports the government’s stand externally, but he had internal differences with the government as an Opposition member. 

Saying that Supreme Court will decide if the Centre violated the Consitution by not taking the consent of the state and the legislature in Srinagar, Tharoor added that fast-tracking the decision to revoke Article 370 by getting the Governor onboard was an attack on the spirit on the democracy.

“I think, they have completely violated the Constitution by denying rights to the people, freedom of speech, cutting off phone lines, putting political leaders under house arrest, and implying PSA on leaders like Farooq Abdullah,” Tharoor said at the event.

On Balakot airstrikes, Tharoor claimed that various international reports had alleged that no terrorist was killed in the attacks. Tharoor said whatever happened in  Balakot, a message was sent that our aircraft entered into “Pakistan’s air space and hit a target”. “I believe it was a big message and it was shown that we will not sit quiet and we will act...,” Tharoor said.