New Delhi, January 3: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley trained guns at the Congress and its Jammu & Kashmir ally National Conference (NC), while participating in the debate in Rajya Sabha over the political instability in the Valley. The BJP veteran said his party should not be blamed for the mess as it had no role in Kashmir's polity before 2014.

The instability in Kashmir, the economic backwardness in the Valley, and the lack of development is due to the Congress' misdeeds for nearly 70 years, Jaitley told the House amid vociferous protests. Mehbooba Mufti's Pitch For Solution in Kashmir: 'Engage With Pakistan, Take up Imran Khan's Invite'.

The mistakes committed by the Congress is hurting Kashmir till this date, Jaitley said, adding that the party also prevented the Valley populace from exercising their political freedom.

"First free and fair election in Kashmir was held in 1977 when Congress was not in power, it was under Morarji Desai ji," said Jaitley, adding that in the subsequent years - when the Congress returned to power - it resorted to alleged malpractices to form the state governments of its own choice.

Particularly targeting the Congress-NC coalition which has ruled Kashmir for several years, Jaitley said the alliance is responsible for "creating hurdles" in Kashmir's growth. Governance "crumbled" whenever these two parties came to power, he added.

"Everyone knows how election processes were done and how governments were formed in the Valley during Congress rule...Congress has left Kashmir alienated," the Finance Minister was quoted as saying.

Jaitley further added that the BJP had a chance to resolve the instability in Kashmir only after 2014. Before that, he added, the party had "no role in Kashmir's old chapters".

Notably, Kashmir is currently placed under President's rule. The state government led by Mehbooba Mufti ceased to exist in June -- when the BJP pulled out of the coalition government with the PDP.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 03, 2019 04:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).