Modi lashes out at AAP, Kejriwal over Kashmir

Narendra Modi at a rally here in Uttar Pradesh Wednesday attacked the AAP, saying the party has shown Kashmir as part of Pakistan on its official website.

He derided Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal by calling him AK-49, referring to his 49-day chief ministership in Delhi. "This AK-49 just gave birth to a party, and that party shows Kashmir as part of Pakistan on its official website," Modi said.

Referring to Kejriwal's close aide Prashant Bhushan, Modi said "one of AK-49's close aides says there must be referendum in Kashmir. Because of this, Pakistan is jumping with joy."

Significantly, Bhushan had said last year that a referendum should be carried out in Kashmir to determine whether or not the Indian Army should be deployed to deal with internal threats in the valley.

In reaction, journalist-turned-politician Ashutosh of the AAP said Modi's statement against Kejriwal reflected his growing frustration.

"Modi has become completely apprehensive of Arvind Kejriwal because he has understood he is going to lose to the latter from Varanasi," Ashutosh said.

Modi hailed former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's policy in Jammu and Kashmir, which he said was based on humanity, democracy and "Kashmiriyat". "We will carry forward the path shown by Vajpayee," he said.

His comment assumes significance since Jammu and Kashmir opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, as well as the moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have said the Vajpayee model for Kashmir's political solution was pragmatic.