'Secret pact' between PDP, BJP on Alam release, wonders Congress

New Delhi: Congress today wondered whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi's claim of lack of knowledge over the release of separatist leader Masarat Alam was part of a “secret pact” between PDP and BJP in Jammu and Kashmir.  

The Prime Minister must answer to the people whether his remarks about lack of knowledge and lack of consultations on the issue meant whether he was hoodwinking or was there a secret pact or he was totally ignorant, AICC communication department in charge Randip Surjewala told reporters.  

Posing a series of questions to Modi and the BJP, he said what action the government intended to take if the “stone pelting age” reappeared in the valley with the release of the separatist.

Noting Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's claim that there were 1000 such people, he sought to know from the Prime Minister whether the release of such elements would not affect the hard earned peace in the valley.

He also wanted to know whether the talk with separatists would be carried out within four corners of the Indian Constitution or it would be an “open” dialogue.

Surjewala also asked the government whether Modi has changed his stand on the issue of abrogation of Article 370 giving special status to Jammu and Kashmir and on the issue of continuance of AFSPA in the state.

Party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi took to Twitter to take a dig at the Prime Minister and BJP.

“A party constantly speaking on nationalism & aganst separatism & terrorism in opposition now supine & impotent aganst coalition compulsions!”, he tweeted.  

Striking a similar note, party MP and former IYC chief Rajeev Satav tweeted: “What is a man called who compromises with his ideologies? What will you call such an organization?”