New Delhi, August 6: Leader of Congress party in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, has reportedly disappointed the party top brass over his remarks which suggested that Jammu & Kashmir is not an internal matter. Both, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former Congress president Rahul Gandhi have reportedly marked their disapproval.

Chowdhury, while initiating the Congress' tirade against the Centre over dilution of Article 370 and abrogation of Article 35(A), said the government should clarify whether Kashmir is an internal matter or a bilateral issue involving Pakistan. Rahul Gandhi Breaks Silence on Article 370 Row: 'Tearing Apart Jammu & Kashmir Won't Further National Integration'

"You say that it is an internal matter. But it is being monitored since 1948 by the UN, is that an internal matter? We signed Shimla Agreement and Lahore Declaration, what that an internal matter or bilateral," questioned Chowdhury in the Lok Sabha.

The Behrampur MP further pointed out before the House that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had recently conveyed to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that Kashmir remains a "bilateral issue" with Pakistan and does not mandate the involvement of any third-party.

The remarks triggered a furious response from the treasury benches, who struck back with chants of "Bharat Mata Ji Jai" and "Vande Mataram".

Watch: How Article 370 Dilution Will Change J&K

Notably, Chowdhury's remarks came a day after Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi accused India of violating the Simla Accord and Lahore Declaration by "unilaterally" abrogating the special status guaranteed to J&K.

Chowdhury not only raised questions on Kashmir's "bilateral" status, but also accused the government of "betraying" the people of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir by not referring to the territory in the J&K Reorganisation Bill, 2019.

A belligerent Amit Shah lashed out at the Congress, saying that PoK and Aksai Chin -- the area of Kashmir under China's control -- is naturally referred to by him when he says Jammu & Kashmir.

"Whenever we say Jammu & Kashmir, we also refer to PoK and Aksai Chin. We are committed to the territorial integrity of Kashmir and can also sacrifice our lives for it," he said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 06, 2019 03:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).