Politics

Avoid controversies, focus on development: BJP high command tells it’s leaders, ministers

Leaders must inform party president before issuing any statement: Avinash Rai Khana

Srinagar: Amid differences between the coalition partners, the BJP high command has directed its state leaders to stay away from controversial issues and focus on development.

A senior BJP leader on condition of anonymity told KNS that the state leaders have been directed not to comment on every issue. “Instead only authorized leaders should comment on controversial issues,” the BJP leader said.

BJP National Vice President and Kashmir affairs in-charge, Avinash Rai Khana mentioned that though the party leaders can speak on any issue, but before making any statement on any issue especially the controversial ones, the party president must be aware.

Sources in BJP said that the party high command has given a strict direction to leaders and ministers to desist and avoid giving controversial statements.

Previously the Party High command had authorized Deputy Chief minister Nirmal Singh and BJP state unit president Sat Sharma to speak on different matters.

The PDP and BJP have differences on several critical issues including the Rohingyas, Article 370, Article 35-A. The J&K government’s decision to probe and register a case of murder against the Army in the Shopian civilian murder case has also strained relations between coalition partners.  After the police registered an FIR against 10 Garwhal Rifles of the Army, the BJP demanded withdrawal of the FIR.

The Supreme Court had already stayed the probe into the matter till the next hearing. The court ordered the halt after the Jammu and Kashmir government informed the SC that Major Aditiya, the accused,  was not named in the FIR.  On Friday, the Government of India challenged the FIR against the Major in the Apex Court.

The alliance is also divided on the Kathua rape and murder case. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has rejected the demand of the BJP of transferring Kuthua case to the Central Bureau of Investigation. BJP, along with a fringe group the Hindu Ekta Manch have been demanding that the case should be transferred to the CBI.

ALSO READ: More shockers from Kathua: After rally for paedophile-rapist, now botched up probe

In a bid to avoid further controversies, Senior BJP leaders have directed its ministers and MLAs not to raise issues that could create further rift between the alliance partners.

Sources said that CM Mehbooba Mufti had also raised this issue with the Government of India after which the BJP high command asked its ministers to avoid controversies.

“Senior BJP leaders told the party ministers to sideline some of the issues that create wedges within the party and also hit the functioning of the coalition government,” sources said.

They said for the smooth functioning of the government, most of the BJP leaders are of the opinion that the controversial issues must be kept at the back burner.

(With inputs from KNS)

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