Opinion of individual not party: Cong distances itself from Chidambaram J&K remark

The Congress on Saturday sought to distance itself from the remarks of former Union minister P Chidambaram on Jammu and Kashmir, saying the "opinion of an individual is not necessarily the opinion of the party".

Chidambaram pitched for greater autonomy for the restive Jammu and Kashmir yet again on Saturday, drawing stinging criticism from the BJP, with Union minister Smriti Irani calling it "shocking and shameful".

Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala told reporters in Delhi that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of Indian and "will always remain so unquestionably".

Asked about Chidambaram's remarks, he said, "The opinion of an individual is not necessarily the opinion of the Indian National Congress. In our democracy, individuals are entitled to their opinion."

The Congress has always believed that dialogue is the way forward for restoration of normalcy in the state, but it can only be within the framework of our Constitution, Surjewala said.