Despite the controversy over the custodial death of a ruling National Conference worker in Jammu and Kashmir deepening, Congress today defended Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Minister Farooq Abdullah who are under opposition attack over the issue.

"There is a need to desegregate various aspects of the whole issue. There is a question about the death of a gentleman. A judicial inquiry has been ordered, and it will be appropriate to leave the inquiry to play itself out. Only through an inquiry the truth can ultimately emerge," party spokesperson Manish Tewari said.

He was replying to a volley of questions in the wake of opposition allegations of political bribery, alleged torture and custodial killing of Haji Syed Mohammad Yousuf.

Tewari, however, steered clear of allegations of phone tapping of journalists in the state, saying it was for the government of J&K to respond.

He, however, said, "In a surcharged atmosphere, allegations fly thick and fast and it becomes difficult to differentiate between truth and rumour."

Tewari also dismissed questions about the issue of rotational chief ministership in the state saying, "This is an entirely different subject. Any particular incident or an alleged issue cannot be the basis of politics in a sensitive state like Jammu and Kashmir."

A senior Congress leader speaking on the condition of anonymity said that a change of guard in a state like Jammu and Kashmir cannot be decided on the basis of a certain episode and there is a need to see the two issues separately. He also made it clear that the first priority will be to handle the current crisis.