Srinagar, Mar 27: BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav Wednesday asserted clear that the ban on Jammat-e-Islami (JeI) and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) will not be revoked.
Addressing a press conference here, Madhav while referring to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and National Conference (NC) said those who wanting to revamp separatism to unleash disturbances in the Valley afresh should bear in mind that revocation of ban “is not possible even in dreams”.
“We banned separatist groups as people want peace which is apparent in the valley, but these regional parties want that ban be revoked to give free hand to these elements to unleash disturbances which is not possible even in dreams,” said Madhav.
The BJP leader added that initiative taken by the Centre to ban what he termed “anti-national, terrorist and separatist forces” operating in Valley over the past few months will continue in future as well.
He alleged that in order to save their political future, “NC and PDP have started singing songs for Pakistan and militants” ahead of upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Madhav also lashed out at the former chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti for calling her party workers as “real muajhideen”
“Mehbooba-ji says her party cadre is real Mujahid. But it was the Mujahids who murdered 12-years-old kid and attempted to rape girls after barging into their homes. These statements reflect the character of these regional parties,” Madhav said.
He also demanded a case to be registered against NC candidate from Baramulla parliamentary constituency, Mohammad Akbar Lone for raising pro-Pakistan slogans recently during a rally.
“Now when parliament elections are near, they raise ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans to save their political career. I want to ask NC whether you are satisfied with his (Lone’s) statement .We demand that FIR should be lodged against Akbar Lone for his antinational and grossly provocative remarks,” added BJP leader.
He also said that NC and PDP during Panchayat and Local Body polls asked people to boycott citing threat to Article 35-A and Article 370, “and now the two parties without taking threat to the special status of the state seriously, fielded their candidates for parliament elections!”
Madhav also reiterated that his party’s stand on Article 35-A and 370 remains unchanged.
Pertinently, later in the day while speaking to press in Jammu, Madhav said abrogation of Article 370 and 35-A of the Constitution along with eviction of Rohingyas and return of Kashmiri migrant Pandits to the Valley are part of the BJP’s manifesto. “You will find these in our manifesto,” he said without commenting further when asked if his party still peruses these issues.
“They (NC and PDP) created an impression that prime minister Modi is a threat to the special status of Jammu and Kashmir but when it comes to the parliament elections they are at the forefront; be it Article 35-A or 370, our stand remains unchanged,” he added.
He said NC and PDP don’t want peace to prevail in the Valley and trying to woo people through “misleading” statements. He said both speak one language in Delhi and another in Kashmir without giving a damn to the people’s sentiments.
Madhav said BJP has been and will remain committed to protect electoral rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We are committed to protect electoral and democratic rights of the people and reiterate to conduct elections well on time. Earlier Panchayat and Municipal elections were held in state, and now Parliament election are being conducted. Now the question remains when Assembly elections will be held, we have asked the Election Commission to conduct these elections as early as possible,” said he.
On Peoples Conference chairman, Sajad Gani Lone’s demand to revoke ban on Jamaat and JKLF, he said the BJP is not in agreement with PC.
“If they say ban should not have been imposed, we are not in agreement with them. In any case we fight elections in JK as a mainstream party. Our strength has increased. Now you cannot say we are outsiders,” said Madhav adding “we have good number of Sarpanchs and Counselors. We fight on our own and don’t have any alliance in valley or anywhere in the state.”
On PDP patron, Muzzaffar Hussain Beig’s offer of legal help to Jamaat and JKLF to contest ban on them, and party’s promise to revoke the ban if it comes to power, Madhav said let him (Beig) rewind things to repeat what happens where and when.
“This is certain that they (PDP) will never come to power, they can offer moon to people as they have left nothing to lose now,” he added.
Ram Madhav also appealed people to participate in upcoming elections wholeheartedly to pave way for the right candidates who could understand their problems and genuine aspirations.
