Praise for Rajnath, Barbs for PM Modi During Kashmir Debate

Amidst the current sparring between the Opposition and government on the volatile situation in Kashmir, Home Minister Rajnath Singh has come in for some un-qualified praise from the MPs across the aisle.

The barbs instead have been reserved for the Prime Minister whom the Opposition accused of bypassing the Parliament and choosing to speak instead at a place and time of his choice.

Taking a dig at PM Narendra Modi, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad while participating in debate on Kashmir said "When people quote Vajpyee and refer to Kashmiriyat, Democracy and Humanity, it somehow does not sound convincing".

Modi at a public meeting in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday had invoked former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s guiding principles in dealing with the complex situation in the valley.

He was referring to Home Minister’s intervention on Tuesday to end the Rajya Sabha impasse when the Parliamentary Affairs minister was dilly-dallying on fixing a date for a debate on the ongoing unrest in the Valley triggered last month by the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani.

Leaders of many parties participating in a marathon nine-hour debate demanded a meeting of all mainstream parties be called at the earliest and that an all-party delegation visit the Valley at the earliest.

Replying to the debate in the Upper House, Rajnath Singh returned the favour in fulsome praising members across the political spectrum.

Conceding to the opposition demand he announced an all-party meeting would be chaired by the PM on the last day of the monsoon session this Friday.

"The ground work for sending an all party delegation will be done in consultation with the state government," he added.

This is not the first time in this session that Rajnath Singh has been able to draw support from the Opposition on issues pertaining to his ministry.

His statement and clarification on his return from Pakistan after attending Saarc ministers meet was also appreciated in both houses of Parliament.

It is an aberration of sorts in a dispensation which has had a string of showdowns with the Opposition. The three-time party president has also strong bonds with BJP's ideological mentor RSS.

However speaking in the RS on Wednesday Rajnath Singh was remarkably cautious in accepting Opposition accolades while ensuring not to ruffle any feathers within his own party.