Modi has no knowledge of Kashmir, raising it for poll benefit: Meem Afzal (Update: Modi)

Commenting on the spat between National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, Congress leader Meem Afzal said Tuesday that the latter had no knowledge of Kashmir, and is bringing it up for poll benefits.

"Tomorrow, elections are going to be held in some parts of Kashmir, and that is why the BJP is saying all this. Otherwise, everyone knows that the BJP has no say and no power in the state," said Afzal.

"According to me, after the elections, Modi needs to go to Kashmir to know it better," he added.

Reacting to National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah's statement that 'people who vote for Modi should drown themselves in the sea', Modi had on Monday said that secularism was in his blood, and maintained that in his eyes, the Abdullah family were the sinners of Kashmir, consistently playing politics for their own gain and quest for power.

He also claimed that the biggest attack on secularism happened in Kashmir when Farooq Abdullah's father, Sheikh Abdullah, was the chief minister of the state.

Farooq Abdullah had said Sunday that Kashmir will not be a part of India if Modi is voted to power.

Addressing an election rally, Abdullah, who is also Union New and Renewable Energy Minister, said the people of Kashmir wouldn't accept a communal person.

"If it happens, then Kashmir will not remain a part of India. I say it publicly. Kashmiris will not accept a communal person," said Abdullah.

Abdullah also hit out at people who have voted for Modi and said, "Those who vote for Modi should drown themselves in the sea," he added.