NCP backs Parrikar, says 'democracy is non-functional' in Pak

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Wednesday appeared to be in tune with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's assertion that 'going to Pakistan is like going to hell' and said it is well-known to everybody that democracy is non-functional in Islamabad.

NCP leader Majeed Memon, however, said that it was not clear as to in what context the Defence Minister has made such a remark.

"So, the position and the situation of Pakistan is known to everybody. There is turmoil, there is insecurity, there is total mess in democracy, a so-called democracy is non-functional at all," Memon told ANI.

"But in what context the Defence Minister has said this, I have no idea. But then the meaning of what he said in fact shows the true position of Pakistan," he added.

Taking a jibe at the Asian neighbour after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley decided against visiting Pakistan to attend a SAARC conference at the end of August, Parrikar yesterday described Islamabad as "hell" and echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's sentiments at the Independence Day speech by demanding that Pakistan stop violating human rights in its Balochistan province and that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is a part of Indian territory.

Referring to the killing of five militants who were shot by the forces allegedly for infiltrating across the Line of Control (LoC) on Monday, Parrikar said: "Our soldiers sent back five terrorists yesterday. Going to Pakistan is same as going to hell."

Parrikar, who was in Haryana's Rewari to participate in a 'Zara Yaad Karo Qurbaani' programme, said Pakistan has always been promoting terrorism.

"Now sometimes, even it is bearing the consequences of terrorism," he added.