Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Mar 18: Making a scathing attack on those politicians and the political parties who are jumping the competitive separatism politics for their vested interests, Union Minister in PMO with independent charge of North Eastern States, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that BJP was always against separatism and terrorism and there is no shift in the party’s stand in this regard.
Talking to reporters here, Dr Jitendra said BJP has always been against terrorism and it is imperative for mankind to wage a war against them. “While cautioning against the separatist rhetoric in election campaign, he reiterated the party stands for zero tolerance against terrorism and separatism”,.
He regretted that while some Kashmir centric parties are playing the card of competitive separatism for their vested political interests said some national parties like Congress are too jumping this competitive separatism, which might prove dangerous.
The Union Minister, while replying to a question regarding ideological shift in Kashmir from Azadi to Islamization, said it is unfortunate that some political parties are also becoming a part of such rhetoric.
On recent statement of former Chief Minister and NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah, Union Minister said that one do not expect such a statement from a person like stature of Dr Farooq Abdullah who has been in politics for decades together now.
“May be faced by tough elections contest in Valley he is tempted to make such statements. But as a statesman, one expected that rising above vote politics, Dr Abdullah should have shown courage to initiate a new narrative and rather bring the misguided youth to right path as separatism supported by terrorism is dangerous for overall milieu of Kashmir.”
In response to allegation of senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh who accused party vice president Rahul Gandhi for poll debacle in four States, Dr Jitendra Singh said it is an internal matter of the Party.
Maintaining that it is Congress party which has to introspect, he said after the victory in elections, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi asked BJP men to be humble.
He, however, said in a healthy democracy the viable opposition is must to play its role.
He said the recent elections made it clear that the era of compulsion of dynastic succession in India is over and cast, creed and colour is no matter for new generation youth who proved it fully while exercising their franchise. The dynastic rule after independence continued for decades together due to feudal mindset, he added.
The Union Minister said that it is the new Bharat in which every political party has to take decisions by considering the aspirations of youth.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that the youth is looking forward in new India and under Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah a grass root level leadership has emerged which eluded India for years together.
On curbing terrorism in Kashmir where a Sarpanch was killed, Dr Jitendra Singh said Sarpanch is a grass root level worker and all of us in politics have to raise voice against such killings. He said on the Government level whatever steps are needed to curb terrorism will be taken.
In response to a question regarding revocation of AFSPA Dr Jitendra Singh said as a politician he can’t say any thing on it and in this regard the opinion of security agencies can be valuable and they must be consulted before taking any decision.
He said there is growing world pressure against terrorism for last two years now and Pakistan is also under constant pressure and it is the result of that it (Pakistan) has also initiated action against terrorism.
He said those making a bogey of EVM machines are making themselves a laughing stock. “If it should have been so BSP could not even have won 20 seats in UP”, he added.
On the statement of Punjab Minister and celebrity Navjot Singh Sidhu that he will work as a Minister in Punjab besides running regular T V show, Dr Jitendra Singh said that they have learnt one thing from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Party chief Amit Shah that they have to be available in public service for 24×7.
Earlier Dr Jitendra Singh was handed over a letter of appreciation from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving up gas subsidy by the BPCL Territorial Manager Surinder Dogra.
In the letter PM complimented Dr Jitendra Singh for his gesture saying he expects that more people who don’t need gas subsidy will take a cue from him and follow suit so that the benefits of cooking gas could be availed by the poor people who don’t afford the same.
BJP senior leader Sanjeev Sharma, BJYM National Executive member, Bharat Sharma and Devinder Wazir were also present on the occasion.
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