NEW DELHI – Recent comments made by senior Congress leader and former external affairs minister Salman Khurshid concerning the nullification of Article 370 in 2019 by the Modi government have seemingly caused friction within the Congress party. these remarks, which appear too support the government’s decision, have created unease within the party ranks.

This growth follows criticism directed at another delegation member, Shashi Tharoor, for his assertion that India’s surgical strikes across the Line of Control (LoC) under the Modi management were unprecedented.

While addressing think tanks and academics in Indonesia, Khurshid expressed his regret that Pakistan seeks to reverse the progress achieved in Jammu & Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370. Khurshid is a member of one of seven all-party delegations currently touring various countries to discuss the situation in the region.

The Congress party initially opposed the revocation of Article 370 but has as adopted a more nuanced stance, remaining somewhat ambiguous regarding the restoration of the Article that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Khurshid’s Remarks in Indonesia

“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, which somehow gave the impression that it was separate from the rest of the country. But Article 370 was abrogated, it was finally put to an end, because so much time had passed,” Khurshid stated during his address to Indonesian think tanks and academics.

“kashmir had a major problem for a long time…Article 370 was abrogated, it was finally put to an end, because so much time had passed.”

He further added, “Afterward, there was an election with 65% participation. There’s an elected government in Kashmir today, and therefore, for people to want to undo everything that has happened, the prosperity that has come to Kashmir, it is very unfortunate. It will give a setback to anybody.”

Congress’s Response

While the senior leadership has refrained from commenting on Khurshid’s statements, discontent has been simmering within the party as the announcement of the 51 members of the all-party delegations. The Congress party previously accused the Modi government of “complete insincerity” and engaging in “cheap political games,” noting that only one of the four names proposed by the Congress leadership was included.

Despite these initial reservations, the opposition party eventually agreed to allow “eminent” party members selected by the government to participate in the delegations and contribute to the discussions.

The Congress party had nominated Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Syed Naseer Hussain, and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring. However,the delegation finalized by the government includes Shashi Tharoor,who is leading one of the delegations. Other Congress members participating include Manish Tewari, Anand Sharma, Salman Khurshid, and Amar Singh.