Opposition in the Rajya Sabha today created a furore over Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s statement crediting Pakistan and Hurriyat for the smooth assembly polls in the State.

The Centre jumped in to do damage control by saying security forces and the people were responsible for the peaceful polls.

Raising the issue during zero hour, Congress MP Shantaram Naik said, “This statement is anti-national...this is violative of oath of office as he is showing allegiance to forces which are anti-national.” He further added:

“The people of Jammu & Kashmir, Election Commission and security forces made the elections possible and Sayeed did not give credit to them.” 

He also said Modi had, during the election campaign, called for discussion on Article 370 and quoted the Prime Minister as having said then “Kam se kam charcha to karo (at least discuss the issue)“ but is now evading it.

Responding to the attack, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the credit for peaceful conduct of Lok Sabha elections in May last year and then the assembly polls “goes to the wonderful people of Jammu and Kashmir, Leh and Kargil, the Election Commission and security forces.”