New Delhi: After BJP accused Congress leader Tariq Hameed Karra of "committing a sin" by making derogatory remarks against Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel during the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, Karra rubbished the allegations against him saying "BJP has failed on all the fronts so they are creating a new narrative."
Earlier today, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra during a press conference alleged that Karra said that it was Jawaharlal Nehru who integrated Jammu and Kashmir with India while Sardar Patel tried his best not to let that happen. Patra alleged that Karra said in CWC meet that Patel had conspired with Jinnah to keep J&K away from India.
Reacting to Patra's allegations, Karra said, "how did he come to know? Did he put his ear to the door? BJP has got bereft of issues that is why they want to create an issue. They have failed on all the fronts so they are creating a new narrative."
"I did not even name Jinnah. I challenge him (Patra). I simply said that during the time of partition, when Jammu and Kashmir, Hyderabad and Junagadh became bone of contention because of being Muslim majority states but ruled by non-muslim rulers, Patel ji suggested Nehru ji that Junagadh and Hyderabad can be negotiated in lieu of Jammu and Kashmir, but he refused," Karra told ETV Bharat on Monday.
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"Nehru ji did not want India to become a theocratic state like Pakistan. He said that he want an inclusive, pluralistic India. So they had an agreement over that and it was Sardar Patel ji under whose guidance and leadership Jammu and Kashmir got annexed to India," he explained.
When asked if he is going to take any legal action against Patra, the Congress leader said, "why should I take action against such a person who speaks all nonsense? Also, that is for the CWC to decide. Everything is happening contrary to the claims of the Government, pre and post abrogation (of Article 370). They had created a euphoria- no militancy, no funding, no shots, no deaths, full of development. Where are those claims today?"
He also slammed the BJP government over the killings of civilians in Kashmir, saying "They are claiming that these killings are being done by an 'unknown gunman'. Who is that? Our demand is that Government should constitute a committee for a judicial enquiry headed by a sitting judge who would decode this term."
Karra, along with Jammu and Kashmir Congress incharge Rajni Patil also met party's former President Rahul Gandhi today to submit a report on the matter as a delegation of Congress had met the bereaved families of those who were killed in firing in Kashmir recently.
