NC member's claim on Mookerjee's stand on Art 370 evokes

A claim by a National Conference member on Tuesday on Jan Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee's stand on Article 370 evoked strong objection from the BJP in Lok Sabha with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asking him to either authenticate it or apologise to the House.

After an uproar by the treasury benches, Speaker Om Birla directed that the remarks by NC's Hasnain Masoodi be expunged.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi said the member's statement was against historical facts and should be removed from Lok Sabha's records.

Masoodi, while participating in the debate on a motion to abrogate Article 370 and a bill to split Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, made certain observation on Mookerjee's stand on the constitutional provision.

Home Minister Amit Shah reacted swiftly, rejecting his claim.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is also deputy leader of Lok Sabha, said the NC leader should authenticate his claim. If he cannot, he should apologise to ..