Reacting to BJP leader Digvijay Singh's statement that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral and non negotiable part of the country, National Conference (NC) on Thursday said the state had not merged with India, but its accession was "conditional".
"The accession of J&K with India was based on conditions and (the state) has not merged with the country which was acknowledged even by home minister P Chidambaram in Lok Sabha," senior NC leader and MP Mehboob Beig said in a statement in Srinagar.
Singh, who is leading a six member BJP MPs' team on a four day tour to JK, that began on April 11, to understand the problems of the people and "prepare a road map" for the state, had yesterday reiterated his party stand that J&K is an integral part of the country and it is non negotiable.
"Singh should study the history of Kashmir and the Kashmir issue," Beig said, adding that frequent appointment of interlocutors by the Centre to seek a solution to Kashmir and restore peace is indicative that it is a political issue.
He said autonomy is the only answer to the Kashmir problem, but the NC is ready to accept any other solution acceptable to people of all the three regions -- Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh.
He said autonomy is the only answer to the Kashmir problem, but the NC is ready to accept any other solution acceptable to people of all the three regions -- Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh.