Remarks on return to Goa not linked to pressure of key issues: Parrikar

The office of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday sought to clarify that his remarks on return to the western Indian state of Goa after quitting as defence minister were in no way linked to the pressure of some key issues like Indian-administered-Kashmir.

"The speech in local language of chief minister(Parrikar) regarding Kashmir issue was in no way connected to his becoming chief minister of Goa which was under the necessity of situation due to coalition partners' demand," the chief minister's office (CMO) said in a statement.

The CMO was reacting to remarks attributed to Parrikar at an event here on Friday that the pressure of some key issues, like Kashmir, was one of the reasons why he opted to quit as the defence minister and return to the coastal state.

"In the speech Honourable Chief Minister had indicated that Kashmir being a sensitive issue needs to be handled through long-term policy frame work," it added.

However, it is clear from an audio clip of the speech that Parrikar said the pressure of some key issues, like Kashmir, was one of the reasons why he opted to return to Goa by quitting as the defence minister. "... I would like to say one thing... Goa I got an opportunity... I got an opportunity to come back to Goa... while coming back...one of the reasons was that at the Centre you need to tackle those issues like Kashmir and this and that.. Delhi is not my area of operations... It is not my habitual place... hence I was feeling under pressure...," he is heard saying in the audio clip. "... Resolving Kashmir issue is not easy... to resolve it we need long term policy... and I feel that there are some issues that there need to be less talks and more work as with talks the issues get complicated," he had said.

In a tweet, Parrikar termed as "factually incorrect" reports attributed to him regarding his speech.

Source: Timesofoman