India's unity paramount, not terrorists' lives: Naidu

Accusing the Congress of playing "cheap politics" over Kashmir, Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday said the "unity and integrity of the country is paramount" and not the lives of terrorists.

"Our party (BJP) is committed to the security of the country. The unity and integrity of the country is paramount, not the lives of terrorists," Naidu said while briefing the media here on a number of issues, including the recent violence in Kashmir.

He accused the Congress of playing "cheap politics" over the Kashmir issue and "compromising national security".

"For short term political benefits, some are politicising the issues related to the country's unity and sovereignity," he said adding that sympathy with terrorists is not acceptable at all.

"This is nothing but cheap politics. They should understand public sentiments of the country," he said.

He was referring to former Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram's comments in a TV interview that the "grand bargain" under which Kashmir acceded to India has not been honoured.

"It was the Congress which ruled the country over 50 years and also the state of Jammu and Kashmir.. then who failed to keep the promise," asked Naidu.

"The problem in Jammu and Kashmir is not due to the Narendra Modi government and country knows who mishandled the issue," he added.

Naidu also attacked those who criticised the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani.

"Why there is so much sympathy for a terrorist who was booked in 15 criminal cases?" he asked.

--IANS

bns/vd