"Khurshid...also accepts how 'Pakistan-Parasti, Pattharbazi and Problem of Pakistan' was increasing": Shehzad Poonawalla

New Delhi [India], May 30 (ANI): BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Friday responded to Congress leader Salman Khurshid's comments on Article 370, acknowledging that the former External Affairs Minister had admitted the provision was a blunder.
Poonawalla highlighted the positive changes in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370, citing increased prosperity and people's voices being heard.
Speaking to ANI, Poonawala said, "Salman Khurshid is a senior Congress leader and has been External Affairs Minister previously and today he also accepts how 'Pakistan-Parasti, Pattharbazi and Problem of Pakistan' was increasing. Now that Article 370 has been removed, there is Prosperity and People's voice is audible... Article 370 was a blunder of the then governments and especially Nehru, this is accepted by Salman Khurshid himself... But even today, some Congress leaders back the Article 370..."
Poonawalla's remarks came after Congress leader Salman Khurshid on Thursday spoke about Article 370. He said that Article 370 had created a feeling that Jammu and Kashmir was separate from the rest of India.
While addressing Indonesian think tanks and academics in Jakarta, Indonesia, Khurshid stated, "Kashmir had a major problem for a long time. Much of that was reflected in the thinking of the government in an article called 370 of the Constitution... But Article 370 was abrogated and it was finally put to an end."
Also, earlier today, all-party delegation member Salman Khurshid, said that Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir must be given back to India.
Khurshid, in conversation with ANI, said that India has clearly stated that talks can happen only when Pakistan's commitment to peace is clear, including talks on the Indus Water Treaty.
"There is a long standing unanimous resolution of parliament of India saying that the Pakistan occupied Kashmir must be re-vacated and given back to India and as you know that even in the assembly of Jammu and
Kashmir, the seats that should have been in that area are kept vacant just for this reason that we have we have a long term commitment that the area is to come back to us. That's one important factor," he said.
Khurshid further said that attempts at making peace were negated by Pakistan, as it continued to attack India over the years.
"The second is that the government has reiterated this because you know, often questions are asked about will you talk, will you not talk, etc. We have expressed our distress that repeated attempts to talk and negotiate have been betrayed by Pakistan by a subsequent attack and several attacks that happened over the years," he said.
Khurshid is a part of an all-party delegation. The delegation, led by JD-U MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, includes Aparajita Sarangi (BJP), TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, Brij Lala (BJP), John Brittas (CPI-M), Pradan Baruah (BJP), Hemang Joshi (BJP), Salman Khurshid and Mohan Kumar.
The delegation is visiting many countries as part of India's global outreach against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. The delegation has so far visited Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. (ANI)