The National Conference (NC) on Wednesday described asunfortunate the parallel being drawn between the situation in Jammu and Kashmirand Emergency in a bid to justify detention of political leaders, includingparty MP Farooq Abdullah, saying it clearly reflected the Centre's"parochial mindset and hypocrisy".

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also joined in, hittingout at the Centre over its assertion that the situation was normal in theKashmir Valley and reiterated its demand for release of all the politicalprisoners, including the three former chief ministers -- Farooq Abdullah, OmarAbdullah and Mehbooba Mufti.The NC was reacting to Union Minister of the Statefor Home G Kishan Reddy's statement in parliament that 30 MPs were detained bythe Congress during the Emergency when asked about the opposition's demand forallowing Mr Abdullah to attend the ongoing session.

"The comparison is ridiculous and so is thejustification, not only because the BJP has all along apparently remained inthe forefront to assail and oppose the emergency but it also exposes theinherent contradictions within the ruling party at the Centre about Kashmirsituation," the NC said.The party spokesperson said Mr Reddy's remark wasan admission of the fact that Jammu and Kashmir is "virtually railing underthe dark phase of Emergency".

"This is a cause of concern and worry for democraticpeople who have offered numerous sacrifices to uphold the high values ofdemocracy in the country for over seven decades," he said, adding thatsuch a statement betrays the idea of India.He said the minister of state wasalso contradicting the assertion of his own home minister, who has describedthe situation in Jammu and Kashmir as normal.

If the situation is normal, why is there a communicationblockade and continued detention of political leaders, the NC spokespersonasked.The PDP also issued a statement here, calling for restoration ofpolitical activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The Bharatiya Janata Party has mastered the art of doublespeak, especially when it comes to Kashmir. Instead of rhetoric the authoritiesshould immediately release illegally detained people includingpoliticians," PDP spokesperson Firdous Ahmad Tak said in the statement.

Reacting to a statement by senior BJP leader Ram Madhavadvocating resumption of political engagement in Jammu and Kashmir "soonerthan later", the PDP leader said the party which has "trampled theentire constitutional apparatus to satisfy its ego has no moral right to speakabout upholding constitutional rights".

"Those jailed since the last 100 days were carryingnational flag in hands and swearing in by the Constitution. The demand for notfiddling with the constitutional guarantee was neither illegal norextra-constitutional," he said.