City
Epaper

Row over Cong UK chapter's meeting with Labour leader

By IANS | Updated: October 10, 2019 22:20 IST

The Congress got engulfed in a controversy on Thursday after a delegation of its overseas chapter in the UK met British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, a vocal India critic, who tweeted, "human rights situation in Kashmir" was discussed and there must be an "end to the cycle of violence and fear" there.

Open in App

The delegation was led by Kamalpreet Dhaliwal, considered close to Rahul Gandhi and some other top leaders of the party.

As a controversy erupted, the Congress got into a damage-control mode saying the UK chapter had no "mandate or authorisation" to speak on behalf of the party and it disowned any claims made.

"We are shocked by this misrepresentation and unauthorised statement made on behalf of the Congress," said the senior party spokesperson Anand Sharma, who also heads the foreign affairs cell.

Earlier, Corbyn, a known anti-India leader, said, "A very productive meeting with UK representatives from the Indian Congress were held where we discussed human rights situation in Kashmir. There must be a de-escalation and an end to the cycle of violence and fear, which has plagued the region for so long."

Criticising the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tweeted: "Appalling! @INCIndia owes it to the people of India to explain what its leaders are telling foreign leaders about India. India will give a befitting reply to Congress for these shameful shenanigans!"

To this, the Indian Overseas Congress UK tweeted: "Our meeting with @jeremycorbyn was held to condemn the Kashmir resolution passed by his Party & to reiterate that J&K is an internal matter & outside intervention will not be accepted. @BJP4India's malicious statements are another attempt to distract people from their failures."

Sharma asserted, "Any issue pertaining to the state of J&K is purely India's internal affair. What the Congress has to say is communicated officially. No other entity, individual or a body, has any authority to do so. We disown any such claims in entirety."

He said the Congress would write to the Labour Party to convey its sentiments.

"The Congress sticks to the Congress Working Committee (CWC) resolution passed on August 6 and its position is firm and consistent and clear that Kashmir is an integral part of India," Sharma said.

The Overseas Congress is headed by Sam Pitroda, a close aide of the Gandhi family.

The controversy could cause harm to the Congress in Maharashtra and Haryana, which are going to polls in 10 days and the ruling BJP might rake up the issue.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: congressindiaAnand Sharmabjpkashmir
Open in App

Related Stories

National“I Have Disagreements With Congress Leadership”: Shashi Tharoor Says Party Did Not Invite Him for Nilambur Byelection Campaign

NationalOperation Sindhu: “We Saw Drones, Missiles,” Say Evacuated Students Recounting Life in Iran’s Warzone

NationalAishwarya Raj, Wife of BJP MLA, Wins Mrs Bihar 2025 Title

NashikBig Setback for Uddhav Thackeray in Nashik as 20 Corporators Join Rival Factions

NationalCOVID-19 Update: Mumbai Cases Drop Sharply; India’s Active Tally Drops By 428

National Realted Stories

NationalPurulia Accident: 9 Killed After Vehicle Returning From Wedding Crashes Into Truck in West Bengal

NationalAudio clip of K'taka Cong MLA 'exposes' corruption in house allotments, BJP seeks probe

NationalSpeeding car mows down three women on morning walk in Bihar’s Motihari

NationalThey file fake FIRs: Manish Sisodia slams BJP before appearing at ACB office

NationalCaught On Camera: Son Brutally Stabs Differently-Abled Father 15 Times In Chhattisgarh