Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 18: A day after Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti pitched for AFSPA revocation from some parts of the State, BJP national general secretary and In-charge of J&K affairs, Ram Madhav today said that law was not in place out of fun and would go, only if the situation improved.
“AFSPA is not out of fun imposed in some areas. Such laws are in place in some States because there is some necessity for them,” Mr Madhav told reporters soon after the BJP Core Group meeting here, today.
Madhav arrived here this morning to review the prevailing political situation in the State and also ascertain the views of BJP leaders regarding fielding of candidates for by polls of two Lok Sabha seats — Srinagar and Anantnag, in Kashmir Valley as well as the elections to the six seats of Legislative Council to be held on April 17.
He held a detailed meeting with Party’s Core Group, other senior leaders and ministers on by polls and also discussed the names of probable candidates for Legislative Council election.
“It depends on the State Governments to see whether the necessities are required and end these laws either in J&K or parts of North East,” he added.
Madhav said that when the situation improves, such laws will be revoked.
However, he said before demanding revocation of the AFSPA the conditions for that need to be created in the State.
On whether BJP will be contesting the upcoming LS polls, he said, “We have met the State leadership and had detailed discussion over the same.
“Final decision on polls will be taken only after consultations with party president Amit Shah and the High Command,” BJP national general secretary said.
The State leadership has expressed its viewpoint on whether to contest the polls or not, he said.
“We have asked them to sit with PDP leadership because they are in alliance with us and hold deliberations with regard to LS polls and have to satisfy each other.”
On the separatists asking for poll boycott, he said, “there is nothing new about separatists. They have been doing this, whenever polls are round the corner.
“We have to do our job and keep wooing voters to participate in large number in polls and vote in favour of the candidates they want to vote,” he asserted and said that democracy is like a celebration and everybody should participate in the celebrations.
“We certainly want people to come out and vote in large number in the upcoming polls,” Madhav added.
Meanwhile, party sources said about a dozen names have been proposed as Party candidates for the Legislative Council elections, but the final decision will be taken by the BJP high command.
Sources said during the meeting the party leaders were in favour of contesting Lok Sabha by elections from Valley as by contesting the elections Party will get strengthened in Valley as party men in Kashmir are very enthusiastic that BJP should contest by elections. It was also suggested that in case BJP will not contest it should support some of likeminded party which is in alliance with it. However sources said though party men want that BJP should contest the by elections the final call will come from the High Command.
Sources said the list of candidates will also be handed over to High Command to take a final decision in this regard.
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