Opposition slams PDP after its minister says Kashmir not a political issue
Drabu on Saturday said Kashmir should not be seen as a conflict state or a political problem but as a society with social issues.
Crisis is brewing in Mehbooba Mufti’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after her uncle and party vice-president Sartaj Madni publicly reprimanded his own Finance Minister Dr Haseeb A Drabu, asking him to retract his statement on the Kashmir issue forthwith.
Drabu on Saturday said Kashmir should not be seen as a conflict state or a political problem but as a society with social issues. Speaking at an event, ‘Kashmir: The Way Forward’, Drabu asked the people to introspect over the nature and origins of the situation in the state and how it can be resolved.
Hours later, PDP vice-president Sartaj Madni took serious note of Drabu’s remarks and asked him to retract it immediately saying the party recognises J&K as a political issue. “Ever since its emergence the party has relentlessly been pursuing its resolution through reconciliation and dialogue, both at internal and external levels,” said Madni.
Unimpressed by PDP’s clarification, main opposition National Conference said PDP’s declaration that Kashmir was not a political issue but a social issue was a shocking and shameful U-turn by the party.