Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 20: Claiming that the party decision to pull from the Government in Jammu and Kashmir was not abrupt but a well thought verdict in the larger interest of the nation, the State BJP president Ravinder Raina today said that the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the State was the main reason and the Governor’s rule will ensure restoration of normalcy.
“The main issue was the fast deteriorating law and order situation in the Kashmir valley and the only alternative was Governor’s rule because under a single line administration, anti-terror operations can be easily carried out,” he said while addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, here today.
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Raina, who was flanked by former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta and other senior BJP leaders, also denied any politics behind the decision to pull out from the Government and reiterated that it was done in the interest of the nation. “We believe nation stands first and tricolour is our priority. The BJP is not for power. Had it been our aim, there were still three more years left to govern the State,” he added.
Referring to the killing of renowned journalist Shujat Bukhari and Army jawan Aurangzeb by the terrorists besides lynching of DySP Ayub Pandit, Raina said that the peace initiatives like the suspension of operations during Ramzan were responded by terrorists with more killings and attacks while Pakistan also resorted to unprovoked firing on border for pushing more infiltrators towards this side.
In response to a query that whether the Army would be given a free hand to deal with the situation under Governor’s rule, the BJP president maintained that the Army always enjoyed free hand and was fully capable to deal with any challenge. “Army was given a free hand in the last three years which resulted in the elimination of 619 terrorists while as many as 23 Pakistani terrorists were also neutralised by the forces during the Ramzan ceasefire,” he said.
However, at the same time, he opined that the Government was not able to carry out the anti-terror operations as the BJP wanted because there might be political compulsions for the other parties handling such a tough situation.
In response to another question that whether it was a mistake on the part of the BJP to ally with the PDP, Mr Raina said his party tried its best to form a Government on its own but fell short of its mission 44 plus seats. He also admitted that the BJP faced some difficulty in implementing developmental projects as some ministries were not with the party.
The BJP president avoided answering questions on Article 370 which gives special status to the State.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta alleged that despite all possible support extended by BJP to the then Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, the later failed to take tough decisions against terrorists and anti-nationals for restoration of peace in the State.
“Some ministries, including the Home Ministry (which was under Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti) demonstrated soft approach towards terrorists but registered FIRs against the security personnel,” he added.
On the occasion, Ravinder Raina informed about the June 23 programme in connection with Balidan Divas of Dr Shyama Prasad Mookerjee at Jammu for which the BJP national president Amit Shah is arriving here.
“Amit Shah will review preparedness of State BJP for forthcoming Parliamentary elections. He will hold meeting with election committee to discuss the next elections and put party machinery on job for effective campaign and to ensure that party improves its tally of three seats in parliament from State,” Raina explained and also informed that a public rally will also be addressed by Amit shah in front of Brahmin Sabha, Parade Road Jammu.
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