The Minister has since tried to explain it off as the scenario when the Kashmir question is settled - that is when an independant Kashmir is established. This is a view shared by a number of Kashmir observers and political analysts. In 1948 there was even a UN resolution that a plebiscite should be held to decide the question. But this has got submerged in later political turmoil. Now if the plebiscite is held in accordance with the resolution there little doubt that the third option-Independent Kashmir- will be the obvious choice.