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Cong for talks with all sections of society in J&K
Srinagar, May 31: Congress today said that the Centre should hold talks with all sections of the society in Jammu and Kashmir, including separatists to usher in peace in the state.
Srinagar, May 31: Congress today said that the Centre should hold talks with all sections of the society in Jammu and Kashmir, including separatists to usher in peace in the state.
"We have not changed our stand. It remains the same that talks should be conducted with all sections of the society," Congress president Sonia Gandhi told a press conference here.
She supported Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee`s peace initiative with Pakistan but said that the government had to be cautious considering the past experience.
Gandhi said that the government tended to go from one extreme to another on a "sensitive" matter of foreign policy, creating confusion.
"While one functionary of the government states one thing, somebody else speaks in totally opposite tone," she said.
"This is our area of concern. We have specifically criticised this area of the government functioning on foreign policy," the Congress chief said.
Gandhi said that her party supported the government`s policy on terrorism and on Pakistan.
Vajpayee has spoken "clearly on dialogue with Pakistan. We offer our support to it," she said.
"But the government ought to be cautious because of the past experience," she said.
Asked about the poll strategy for the forthcoming elections, Sonia hinted at extending support to Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav. Bureau Report
She supported Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee`s peace initiative with Pakistan but said that the government had to be cautious considering the past experience.
Gandhi said that the government tended to go from one extreme to another on a "sensitive" matter of foreign policy, creating confusion.
"While one functionary of the government states one thing, somebody else speaks in totally opposite tone," she said.
"This is our area of concern. We have specifically criticised this area of the government functioning on foreign policy," the Congress chief said.
Gandhi said that her party supported the government`s policy on terrorism and on Pakistan.
Vajpayee has spoken "clearly on dialogue with Pakistan. We offer our support to it," she said.
"But the government ought to be cautious because of the past experience," she said.
Asked about the poll strategy for the forthcoming elections, Sonia hinted at extending support to Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav. Bureau Report