The Congress, which created a hue and cry over the government actions in Jammu and Kashmir post August 4, has decided to refrain from commenting on the subject till Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the UN General Assembly on September 27.
Newly-appointed Congress spokesperson Sharmishta Mukherjee, addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, also said that her party is “happy” that Modi has got “so much respect in the US” like his predecessors from Jawaharlal Nehru to Manmohan Singh.
“We should refrain from commenting on Kashmir till Prime Minister speaks at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA),” she said.
Mukherjee’s response came when she was asked to comment on US President Donald Trump’s remarks regarding mediation on Jammu and Kashmir, if both India and Pakistan want. Trump made the remarks while meeting Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in New York on Monday.
“The PM is attending the UNGA session and many issues are likely to be discussed. We do not think it’s appropriate to comment on Kashmir,” she added.
The Congress has been slamming the government over the restrictions imposed in Jammu and Kashmir ever since the state’s special status was abolished last month.
The main opposition party, including its former President Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, had also attacked the Prime Minister over ‘Howdy, Modi!’ event held in Houston two days back. Significantly, the event, meant for the Indian diaspora, was attended and addressed by Trump too.
Mukherjee said that the Congress “is happy that the PM has got so much respect in the US”.
She added that former Prime Ministers, from Nehru to Manmohan Singh, too have got immense respect in foreign countries, including the US.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has said the Prime Minister should not be criticized when abroad as he represents the country and not BJP or any other party.
“The Prime Minister deserves respect in foreign countries as he is a representative of our nation. But when he is in India, we have a right to question him,” Tharoor has said.-IANS news
