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Jugal: Masarat Alam’s release PDP’s unilateral decision

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 3/9/2015 9:18:33 AM

`BJP to convey displeasure to PDP’

JAMMU, Mar 8: J&K Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Sunday Accused the coalition partner Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of taking a “unilateral decision” of the release of hardline separatist leader Masarat Alam without consulting it and announced to convey its displeasure to PDP leadership directly as well through central leadership.
State BJP chief and MP Jugal Kishore Sharma stated that his party’s consent was not with this decision as its leadership was not at all consulted by PDP before taking a call on this account.
He was talking to media after participating in two separate meetings of the party MLAs and the ministers convened by party incharge J&K Affairs Avinah Rai Khanna here in the winter capital.
He, however, refrained from directly answering the queries about BJP demanding the re-arrest of Masarat Alam from the Chief Minister yet stated that the issue would be discussed with the party’s senior leaders, the Deputy Chief Minister and other cabinet ministers after they returned from Srinagar.
Nevertheless, he rubbished all queries about these developments posing any threat to PDP-BJP coalition government in the state saying that it (coalition government) would complete its full term of six years.
“Masarat Alam’s release does not have the consent of the BJP. Nor was the BJP consulted before taking such a decision. We were not asked before releasing him. Had they asked us, we would not have given approval and even today our consent is not with this decision. Such people should not have been released as they only spit anti-India venom... If you leave such people like this without any conditions, they will always resort to such (separatist) slogans,” Jugal said while responding to questions related to Masarat’s release.
He stated that this issue did not figure in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) on the basis of which the coalition government was running. He informed that the ministers and legislators of the BJP discussed the matter in their meeting.
“What I am telling you is true. We had no prior information on the release of Masarat Alam and this is not part of the CMP as the document is open to everyone. We had agreed to form the government to work for peace, prosperity and development for the state. We will clear our stand to the PDP. The BJP is not dependent on any party. The BJP is in power on its own strength. Our party had joined hands with the PDP for development of Jammu and Kashmir and for the betterment of people of the state. The BJP has conveyed its stand (against the decision) and reacted to this. Our reaction will reach them (PDP),” he said.
On the question whether it would affect functioning of the coalition, state BJP chief said, “We have formed the government based on CMP and it should work for six years
“If the BJP is not successful (on running the government with PDP), it will come to you and will announce about its decision. The situation has not come for pulling out of the coalition. We will sit with our partner and take a decision (with regard to such issue) so that in future such steps are not taken,” Jugal said.
“We have to work together for the betterment of the people of J&K... The government formation has been there only for five to six days. We will sit together and hold talks with them (PDP),” he added.
On the issue of Mehbooba Mufti's statement that she was not bothered about the coalition, Jugal said, “The BJP have formed alliance on development agenda. The coalition has been formed on the agenda of betterment of people of J&K. We will continue to move forward on that. That is why we will hold meeting on this and will come back to you with our reaction.
On the other hand, besides PDP minister Imran Ansari claimed that BJP was with PDP in this decision. “I don’t think BJP has any apprehensions. They are with us. We have a coalition government. I don’t think it is a genuine thing to make any issue of that. The courts have released him and the Home Ministry implemented that order,” he said while talking to agencies.
Earlier BJP MLA Ravinder Raina said his party would never tolerate this “insult” to the nation.
“Masarat Alam is a dreaded terrorist and we are ready to sacrifice 1000 such governments for the sake of nation’s pride,” Raina said talking to reporters.
Party in charge for Jammu and Kashmir and MP, Avinash Rai Khanna who specially arrived in Jammu to take part in the meeting said that the government was formed on CMP and the government should follow it.
“We protest his release and I must tell you that BJP was not taken into confidence on this decision,” Khanna said.
Earlier in the meeting on the issue of release of separatist leader, many leaders of BJP expressing strong views with even demands that the party should snap the ties with PDP.
“Not one but many BJP MLAs and ministers who were present in the meeting today conveyed this to the central leadership that BJP should discontinue its support of this coalition government,” stated a BJP MLA on the condition of anonymity.
He said the party MLAs, MLCs and ministers who were part of the meeting were of the view that the party could not play with the security and integrity of the nation. "We had agreed to form the government based on CMP, what's the fun of continuing with this government when the terms of CMP are not being followed- was the general view," he said.