‘Hurriyat can’t dictate terms to Govt’
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 8: Maintaining that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is ready for Assembly elections in the State, party national general secretary and incharge J&K, Ram Madhav today asked the Election Commission of India to announce the Assembly poll in the State within this year.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of joining of prominent leader including Congress stalwart former DC Iqbal Malik, Sarpanches and Congress leaders at party Headquarters into BJP here today, Madhav said party is hopeful to get a landslide victory in Assembly elections in the State also.
He, however, said that the decision regarding holding of Assembly elections is to be taken by the Election Commission which has to take ground situation and other realities into consideration.
According to sources, Madhav later while addressing party’s Core Group meeting also urged the partymen to gear up for Assembly poll in the State which for all practical purposes will be held by the, end of this year.
Sources said all the Core Group members including BJP president, Ravinder Raina, Speaker Dr Nirmal Singh, former Dy CM, Kavinder Gupta, former Minister, Sat Sharma, BJP general secretary (Org), Ashok Koul, chief spokesperson, Advocate Sunil Sethi and general secretary, Dr Narinder Singh were unanimous in early holding of Assembly poll in the State. Madhav asked them to gear up for the same as the ground situation is in favour of the party.
The meeting also reviewed the party’s membership drive launched by it recently and its progress in all three regions of the State, sources added.
Lambasting the former Chief Minister and patriarch of National Conference (NC), Dr Farooq Abdullah and his son, Omar Abdullah for terming the restrictions over plying of civilian vehicles on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway as administration’s laziness, Madhav said “we have seen lot of incompetence of father, son duo during their rule”.
“Instead of pointing fingers on administration they all should help administration in smooth running of yatra”, he added.
Denying that the Government has imposed restrictions on civilian vehicles due to terrorist threat, he said it was for the safety of yatris.
On “anti-India banners” attached to an aircraft being displayed over a cricket Stadium in England during World Cup match between India and Sri Lanka on Saturday, Madhav said Pakistan nationals were behind it.
“The Hindu minorities in Kashmir faced genocide at the behest of Pakistan and today the same people (Pakistan) are indulging in propaganda in London and other places. The entire world knows the truth”, he added.
On Mehbooba’s demand regarding holding of talks with Hurriyat, Madhav said Hurriyat can’t dictate terms to Government. He said “two years back we had given offer to them for talks and even Dineshwar Sharma was appointed as Interlocutor. But they (Hurriyat) can’t give directions to Government. It is Government of India which can take a decision regarding talks.”
He said Government is firm on the decision of Home Minister, Amit Shah that separatists and terrorists should not be encouraged at any cost.
He ruled out that the suspension of holy Amarnath yatra today was because of threat saying but it could be due to inclement weather.
He asked Mehbooba Mufti and her party to cooperate with Government in smooth conduct of yatra.
Regarding controversial special status granted to J&K under Articles 370 and 35A, Madhav said BJP’s stand is clear in this regard and party wanted that the controversial articles should go lock, stock and barrel. “The issue of 35 A is in Supreme Court and let us wait for its verdict”, he added.
“We want these controversial articles be abrogated so that all regions of the State get equal treatment”, he said, adding the terrorism should be completely weeded out from the State and terrorist organizations be banned.
Madhav termed the Congress allegations totally ridiculous that BJP was responsible for Karnataka crisis. “Every one knows what happened in Karnataka. The two parties joined hands to form the Government in the State against the mandate of the masses and now they are fighting among themselves”, he added.
He said the Congress is a rudderless ship and party leaders are engaged in infighting. “The people of country have a hope in BJP and Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and this is the reason that they voted the party to power with a huge mandate, he added.
He said fully satisfied with Narendra Modi’s policies and programmes including the slogan coined by him “Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas”, minorities in large numbers are joining BJP all over the country now.
Earlier addressing the joining ceremony, Madhav claimed that the nation has scaled new heights of development and seen welfare of all sections of the society in last five years. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and BJP have won hearts of minorities in India, he added.
Addressing a massive gathering of people from Darhal and adjoining areas at party headquarter, after joining of Retired DC Mohd. Iqbal Malik, along with woman Sarpanch from Manjakot Samreen Anjum, retired police officer, Mohd. Nazir Malik, PCC member, Nazir Ahmed, Darhal Congress block president, Baitullah Malik, Kotranka block president, Raj Mohd., Buddhal block president, Mohd. Bashir Chisti, dozens of Sarpanches, Panches and social activists, Madhav said that a wave of change is being witnessed across the country, particularly among minorities, who have realized that their future and welfare of young generation lies in strengthening BJP and contributing in nation building under Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
He also assured for exploring the tourism potential of Darhal and reaching the deserving people with the welfare schemes of Modi Government.
BJP State president, Ravinder Raina, while welcoming the new entrants into the party fold, said that their activities in BJP would further strengthen the party in their areas and assured that the problems and issues of the remote and far flung areas would be raised at appropriate level for addressing them. He added that the Congress and NC always treated the Muslims of Rajouri and Poonch as vote bank and never considered them at par with those of Valley in matters of development, welfare and socio-economic upliftment.
BJP fulfilled the demand of reservation to Paharis, he added.
Mohd. Iqbal Malik, said that before taking oath as PM for second term, Narendra Modi paid his respect to the Indian Constitution, which made us realize that his Government would run the country as per the laid down norms by taking all together. He said that “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikaas” and now Sabka Vishwas has induced a sense of security among minorities and that it carries great significance where an atmosphere of justice to all is being prepared.
He said that Modi’s assertion of bridging the gap and clearing misconception between BJP and minorities is a welcome step. “Soon after taking over as PM again, Narendra Modi took important decisions of 3Es, which stand for education, employment and empowerment of minorities, a step which will go a long way in real empowerment of the neglected population of people”, Malik said and added that minorities should also respond in positive and move forward to strengthen BJP.
Besides, Ram Madhav and Ravinder Raina, Speaker Dr. Nirmal Singh, former DyCM Kavinder Gupta, State general secretary (Org.) Ashok Koul, Adv. Vibodh Gupta, Ab. Ghani Kohli, Kuldeep Raj Gupta, Ch. Talib Hussain, Dev Raj Sharma and others were present on the occasion.
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