Govt admits to 'ideological differences' with PDP, ‘ready to make sacrifice for national integrity’

New Delhi: Under attack over release of separatist Masarat Alam in Jammu and Kashmir, government on Monday admitted to "ideological differences" between BJP and PDP and said it is ready to make any "sacrifice" for national integrity.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh asserted in Rajya Sabha that no one, howsoever powerful, will be allowed to play with the unity and integrity of the country as he sought to allay concerns of members over Alam's release.

Singh, who made a statement and replied to clarifications, insisted that there was "no hidden agenda" in and the Centre has sought answers from the state government, in which BJP is a part, over the decision to release Alam.

"There is no doubt that there are ideological differences between BJP and PDP. We have never had any relationship with the PDP in the past. They are with us only for 10 days. Whatever influence is there, it must be yours on them. You had been with them in power in past..," he told the Congress, which has had a coalition government with PDP in the state earlier.

Asserting that Jammu and Kashmir was, is and will be an integral part of the country, the Home Minister said, "no one howsoever powerful will be allowed to play with the security, unity and integrity of India. We are ready to give any sacrifice that is required."

Singh said he was speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was present in the House as he insisted that there was "no hidden agenda" or behind the scene talks" over government formation in Jammu and Kashmir.

There is "no question of any compromise with a traitor," he said.

"Our agenda is never hidden. Our agenda is always very open. We are not the one who operate behind curtains," he said as he described the meeting between Modi and Mufti Mohammed Sayeed ahead of government formation as "normal courtesy".

The Home Minister said as soon as Alam was released on Saturday, the Centre had sought clarification from the state government.

The response was not satisfactory and more clarifications have been sought, he said, adding "if need be, a stern advisory will be issued to the state government. Centre will not shy away from doing so".

Justifying the formation of government with PDP in the state, he said it was necessitated due a fractured mandate and BJP joined hands with an intent of ensuring that the state develops and flourishes.

Singh also shifted the blame on the previous Congress-NC government for not referring the matter of Alam's detention under the Public Safety Act in September 2014 to the Advisory Board and accused it of sitting over it for over three months.

"I want to assure the House that our government cannot make any compromise on public safety and public security. Our politics not only for government but for making nation," he said.

Earlier, an angry exchange of words took place between Kurien and Congress member K V P Ramachandra Rao when the latter insisted that his party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad be allowed to rebut charges levied by the PDP member.

While Azad wanted to respond to the allegations, Kurien, apparently not noticing him, had given Leader of the House Arun Jaitley the floor to speak on the issue.

This led to agitated Congress members demanding that Azad be allowed to have his say first because his name was mentioned.

Even as Kurien relented, Rao charged towards the well saying how can the Leader of the Opposition not be allowed to speak.

An angry Kurien shot back, "You cannot browbeat me. I know the rules. I am allowing Leader of the Opposition."

As the Congress members continued to stand, he remarked "Congress members cannot browbeat me."

Azad was later allowed by Kurien to rebut the charges levelled by the PDP member.