Chidambaram trying to give Art 370 a communal spin, says Sambit Patra

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra on Monday lashed out at former Home Minister P Chidambaram over his remarks on the Centre's decision to revoke Article 370 and claimed that Congress has always tried to find a "Hindu-Muslim" angle.

"As far as Congress is concerned, in the last 70 years, they have always tried their best to find a Hindu-Muslim angle in everything. That is why in the Article 370 issue too, P Chidambaram is trying to find one, ironically, Chidambaram should be reminded that the move to repeal Article 370 is all about development," Patra told here.

On Sunday, Chidambaram had claimed that the BJP would not have touched Article 370 if Kashmir was a Hindu-dominated region.

"If there was a Hindu majority in Kashmir, the BJP wouldn't have touched (Article 370). Because of the Islamic majority, the BJP did it," former Union Minister said.

However, Patra reaffirmed that revoking Article 370 was all about the development of Kashmir. "To bring in a Hindu-Muslim angle is absolutely demeng. They will try their best to create a conflict where none exists to drive some political benefits, be it Rahul Gandhi, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Digvijaya Singh or others," he said.

Patra also lashed out at Congress leader Digvijaya Singh for his statements against the move to repeal Article 370.

Singh had on Sunday said, "See the international media and what is happening in Kashmir. They (government) have burnt their hands in fire by abolishing Article 370, saving Kashmir is our primary focus. I appeal to Modi ji, Amit Shah ji and Ajit Doval ji to work thoughtfully otherwise Kashmir will slip out of our hands."

Calling him a "repeat offender", Patra said, "Digvijaya Singh has always been giving statements which do not go well with nationalism and national integration. We have seen how he tried to divide India as far as surgical strikes were concerned, he wanted evidence for the same, he spoke ill against the airstrike as well and today he said Kashmir will not be a part of India. This is the frustration of the Congress party."

"Kashmir is responding peacefully today, we don't know as to why when there is peace in Jammu-Kashmir and the whole of India, the Congress leaders are not in peace," he added.

( With inputs from ANI )