Thiruvananthapuram: LDF MLA and former minister KT Jaleel has withdrawn his controversial statement in his Facebook post on Kashmir after facing huge criticism. On Friday, he took to his Facebook page and declared that he is withdrawing his statement on Kashmir which drew criticism for hurting the sentiments of the people.

At the same time, he justified himself by claiming that the critics misinterpreted his words in the post.

“ I have noticed that some of the statements in my travelogue on Kashmir were created misunderstanding. I declare that I have withdrawn the misinterpreted lines for the sake of the country and harmony between people,” wrote Jaleel on his Facebook page.

Meanwhile, on Saturday morning he shared another post blaming the critics for failing to understand the meaning of his statement, even as the ruling CPI (M) distanced itself from the former minister's contentious remarks, saying it was not the party's view.

Several people, especially BJP leaders, have come out against his FB post in which he described Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir as "Azad Kashmir". 

(with inputs from PTI)