BJP should withdraw support in J-K : Jyotiraditya Scindia

Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday challenged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to withdraw its support from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the Jammu and Kashmir coalition government, after Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed released separatist Masarat Alam.

"What kind of answer has Prime Minister Modi given in the Parliament, that they will investigate and look into the matter? If they are hurt about the situation, then why does the government not withdraw from the PDP?" questioned Scindia.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi had asserted that his government will not compromise on national security adding that the Centre was neither informed nor consulted about Alam's release.

"I assure the nation that there is no compromise on the unity of the nation," PMO's twitter handle quoted Prime Minister Modi as telling the Lok Sabha.

Seeking to pacify the opposition, Prime Minister Modi said this expression of anger over Alam's release does not belong to any political party, but to the entire nation and the entire House.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, making a statement on the issue, had said the Centre has sought clarifications from the Jammu and Kashmir government on Alam's release.

The Home Minister also informed the Lok Sabha that the High Court had said, 'a person cannot be detained for more than two years under the Public Safety Act'.

Leaders of the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, RJD and CPI (M) later staged a walkout after expressing displeasure with the responses of the Prime Minister and Home Minister.