Kejriwal opposes referendum on army in Kashmir

New Delhi  : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Monday said there was “no question” of having a referendum on keeping the army in Jammu and Kashmir but the feeling of the locals must be respected.

“Deployment of army (in the Kashmir Valley) is a matter of internal security. There is no question of having a referendum on it,” he said, distancing himself from party colleague Prashant Bhushan’s views.

Bhushan had called for a referendum to decide whether or not the Indian Army should be deployed to deal with the separatist campaign in the Kashmir Valley.

Kejriwal, however, added: “The feelings of the local people should be taken into account, otherwise it will be a threat to democracy. But our party is not in favour of any referendum.”