Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh on Wednesday downplayed the ongoing controversy over separatist-turned-politician Sajjad Lone miff over being given an 'insignificant' ministry, saying the PDP-BJP coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir will run as per the conditions and clauses in the 'Common Minimum Programme'.
The BJP MP from Udhampur said one should not get into any kind of debate or discussion on the issue, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has put forward his stand in very clear terms.
"I don't think we need to get into all this debate or discussion after what the honourable Prime Minister said on the floor of the house in the Rajya Sabha yesterday. The statement he made was very categorical as far as Jammu and Kashmir was concerned. He used the phrase 'zero tolerance' for terrorism and also stated very clearly that the coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir formed with the combination of PDP and BJP will run as per the conditions and clauses in the 'Common Minimum Programme," said Singh.
"That's about all. And, therefore, as he was very categorical in stating on the floor of the house that any statement made by anybody from any quarter carries no meaning as far as we are concerned," he added.
Replying to the motion of thanks to the President's address, Prime Minister Modi had yesterday said that the government formed in Jammu and Kashmir is based on the common minimum programme and will run on its basis.
Lone is reportedly displeased for being given the Science and Technology and Animal Husbandry Ministry in the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led government.
According to reports, Lone has refused to attend his office.