Not in country's best interests: Naidu on Chidambaram's Kashmir comments

"We condemn this statement," Naidu said.

New Delhi, Feb 25: Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday criticised former Home Minister P Chidambaram over his comments on Kashmir and sought to know the Congress' stand on the issue.

"He knows about the fragile situation in Kashmir as he has also served as the Home minister of the country. It is wrong to make such statements and is not in the best interest of the country. We condemn this statement," Naidu said.

"We want to ask the Congress what is their stand on Kashmir?" he asked.

At an event in Hyderabad on Friday, Chidambaram had reportedly answered a question about Jammu and Kashmir, saying he felt the situation there was grim, and that a series of mistakes were made which were 'almost too late' to correct now.

He had also criticised recent controversial comments of Army Chief General Bipin Rawat that anyone interfering with security operations will be treated as anti-national.

"That's, I think, thoughtless, intemperate words," the former Union Home Minister said, remarks which did not go down well with Naidu.

"I mean, is it wrong what he (Rawat) said against the terrorists? And are the terrorists right?" Naidu asked.

PTI