Srinagar: Ram Madhav, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary on Saturday said that Kashmir was not the hereditary property of regional parties of the state but is the pride of crores of Indian citizens.
Talking to reporters at Dak Bunglow Khanabal in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, Madhav said regional parties believe that Kashmir is their hereditary property but the fact is that it is an integral part of India as well as the pride of crores of Indians. “It is not possible that somebody will tell us to leave Kashmir and we will, as they think it is the property of their father, grandfather but the fact is that Kashmir is an integral part of India,” he said.
He added democratic lines was their (BJP) line and they will follow the line in letter and spirit, saying that they will continue to do developmental politics here but these regional parties are obstructing their developmental agenda.
Madhav further stated that their stand over Article 370 was clear and the decision in this regard will be taken in the parliament, saying that in today’s election, party’s is main focus was on development only.
About recent decisions that triggered protests, BJP leader said some temporary measures were taken in the State in view of the prevailing situation but all these measures will be withdrawn soon. “We hope the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held soon and people will get their elected representatives once again,” he added.
Referring to a query, he said, “In 1975, Sheikh Abdullah-Rajiv Gandhi accord took place to ensure the situation is changed on the ground but the National Conference (NC) in 1987 brought State under volatile situation. Similarly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also forged an alliance with Mufti Muhammad Sayeed in 2015 but they later tried to deteriorate the situation, thus losing the chance once again,” he said.
He said that they are following a roadmap to change the situation on ground. “We also forged an alliance to change the situation but that didn’t work. We have no guilt for that but there is a need of development in the State for which the militancy has to be ended as no development can take place without normalcy, therefore putting an end to the militancy was must for the normalcy and development,” he added.
Stating the militancy in Jammu and Kashmir was ‘unfortunate’, Madhav appealed people to support them in putting an end to the militancy here.
Earlier, PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti while reacting over Narendra Modi’s statement that Article 370 will be removed said that then ‘they should free Kashmir.’
“If (PM) Modi thinks that Kashmir is in loss because of Article 370 then he should free Kashmir,” replied Mehbooba when asked by the reporters to respond to Modi’s remark on Article 370.
Earlier, BJP President Amit Shah reiterated that if Narendra Modi comes back to power, Article 370 will be removed.
Addressing an election rally in Jharkhand, Shah said, “We will remove Article 370 if you make Narendra Modi the prime minister again.”
Narendra Modi, in an interview to Aaj Tak had said that those people who support Article 370 do not deserve Indian citizenship.
Recently, Shah had said that till a single worker of the BJP is alive, Kashmir cannot be separated from India.
Recently, Shah has said that his party will ensure that National Register of Citizens of India (NRC) is implemented across India and ‘every single infiltrator will be removed from the country.’
He had added that all Buddhist and Hindu refugees will be identified and Indian nationality will be given to them.
Shah had said that after forming the Government in New Delhi, they will remove Article 370 of the Indian Constitution.
(With inputs from KNS)
