J&K minister gets showcause over 'azadi' remark

Jammu and Kashmir Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma, who is in the eye of a storm over his 'azadi' remark, appears in for trouble with the Congress high command on Saturday issuing a showcause notice to him.

Sharma at a party rally in Jammu recently had said there should be "azadi for Kashmir", statehood for Jammu and union territory status for Ladakh. The J&K health minister had said this in presence of state Congress committee president Saif-ud-din Soz.

However, he tried to clarify his remarks later, saying, "What I had said is that if we do not adhere to the principle of coalition dharma, then forces who want UT for Ladakh, separate state for Jammu and autonomy for Kashmir will gain momentum in their nefarious designs."

The Congress has now asked Sharma to explain his statement made at the rally, which was in contravention of the stated position of the policy of the party and the government about Jammu and Kashmir being an integral part of the country, the sources said. His statement gave a handle to separatists and foreign elements inimical to the country and it was unbecoming of him to make such remarks, they said.

The notice has been given by the central disciplinary action panel of the party headed by senior leader A K Antony and he has been asked to reply within seven days.