I was never consulted on Kashmir: Karan Singh

New Delhi, May 24: Former Maharaja of Kashmir and a senior Congress leader, Dr Karan Singh, is bitter that he was never consulted on Kashmir by successive governments at the centre despite his 40-year political career on national level.

In an exclusive interview with Hindi weekly 'Outlook,' the former Union Minister said his opinion was sought on several other matters. But on Jammu and Kashmir, he was never consulted.

''I have been in national politics for 40 years. But no government has ever sought my opinion on this matter. What is the reason, I don't know. May be they think that I have an independent thinking in this matter,'' he said in the interview to be published tomorrow.

He said the matter had become so complicated that despite having a formula (for resolution of the Kashmir problem), it was not acceptable to all. ''...if it is not acceptable to all, what is the use. But first the government of India should be ready with what to do and what not to do.'' Asked whether the Line of Control (LOC) should be treated as International Border between India and Pakistan, Dr Karan Singh said first it should be known where has the peace process reached.

''There are many options. Three regions of Jammu and Kashmir and two of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) have different ideologies.

As long as a holistic view is not taken and the each region understood, till then a lasting solution should not be expected,'' Dr Singh, who is supposed to know the 'pulse' of the Kashmir problem, said.

He said a new scandal began in the Kashmir valley when Mr V P Singh became the Prime Minister and Mufti Mohammed Syed the Home Minister.

''Terrorists were released in exchange for Mr Syed's daughter.

Since then 17 years have passed. Sometimes terrorism increases and sometimes it decreases. The basic thing is that unless relations improve with Pakistan, a change in this unfortunate situation is difficult,'' he added.

UNI