Congress asks PDP to withdraw controversial map
By IANSMonday, February 14, 2011
NEW DELHI - The Congress Monday objected to the Peoples Democratic Party’s depiction of parts of Jammu and Kashmir as places in China and Pakistan and demanded “immediate withdrawal of the controversial map”.
Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said here that depiction of map of Jammu and Kashmir in yellow, green and red colours was highly objectionable.
Whatever has been the motivation, pictorial adventurism has long term political and diplomatic implications. There is a unanimous resolution of parliament that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country. It has also put on record India’s views about Pok (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir), Tewari said.
The PDP, he said, is well-advised to withdraw the map immediately.
The PDP in a power-point presentation in Srinagar Saturday depicted Aksai Chin in red colour and as part of China, while the Pakistan Administered Kashmir was coloured in green.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Sunday voiced strong objection to the PDP “giving away of parts of J&K” to China.
The chief minister, voicing his objection to the PDP’s map, said Sunday: “While we want the borders and the Line of Control to become irrelevant where people can freely move from one part to the other, but the gifting away (on the map to any other country) is unacceptable.”
The state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has termed the PDP action as anti-national and said it will move the Election Commissioner of India to get the PDP de-recognised for “preaching” secessionism.
The PDP was a coalition partner with the Congress for six years (2002-08) in the state.
The Congress reaction came after Home Minister P. Chidambaram slammed the PDP for the map and said that action will be taken if the party does not correct it.
