J-K autonomy row: Chidambaram slams Modi, says PM 'imagining a ghost and attacking it'

Senior Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram on Sunday hit back at Prime Minister Modi, saying that the latter did not read his statement entirely on Jammu and Kashmir. The Congress leader said Modi was imagining a ghost and attacking it.

Chidambaram said, "It is obvious the PM has not read the whole answer to the question put to me on Jammu and Kashmir. Those who criticise, must read the whole answer and tell me which word in the answer was wrong. The PM is imagining a ghost and attacking it."

Asked during an interaction in Rajkot whether he still felt that Jammu and Kashmir should be accorded greater autonomy to defuse the unrest in the valley, he said, "Yes... The demand in Kashmir Valley is to respect in letter and spirit of Article 370. And that means that they want greater autonomy. My interactions in Jammu and Kashmir led me to the conclusion that when they ask for 'azadi', most people - I am not saying all - (an) overwhelming majority want autonomy."

Also Read: PM Modi in Bengaluru: Congress leaders supporting those seeking 'Azadi' in Kashmir is an insult to our soldiers 

Earlier in the day, PM Modi while addressing a rally in Bengaluru lashed out at the Congress leader over his “greater autonomy “ remark, saying that the Congress leaders are lending their voice to those who want "Azadi in Kashmir".

He said, "Congress leaders supporting those seeking ‘Azadi’ in Kashmir is an insult to Indian soldiers". Click here to read more.