Congress MP Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday took a swipe atNational Security Advisor Ajit Doval after he was seen interacting with theresidents of south Kashmir , saying “you can bring anyone on your side bypaying money”. Doval was in Shopian district to discuss with the locals thegovernment’s decision to abrogate provisions of Article 370 and bifurcate Jammuand Kashmir into two Union territories.

 “Paise dekar aapkisiko bhi saath le sakte ho (you can bring anyone on your side by paying money),”Azad told reporters. The remarks by the leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabhacame a day after a video of Doval sharing food with locals on a footpathoutside closed shops in Shopian district went viral on social media.Dovalarrived in Kashmir on Tuesday, a day after the Centre revoked the provisions ofArticle 370, which gave special autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir. He isreaching out to the local population in the Valley as a confidence-buildingmeasure.“Everything will be alright. Your safety and security is ourresponsibility,” Doval had told people in Shopian district.

Around 400 people, including three business leaders and auniversity professor, mainstream and separatist activists have been rounded upby police in the latest crackdown in Kashmir, officials had earlier told TheIndian Express. While Doval is all set to travel to Srinagar today, sourcessaid he is expected to be sent back from the airport.