The BhartiyaJanta Party (BJP) on Thursday said the political activities can be resumed in J&K without release of the detained politicians including three former Chief Ministers.
Senior party leader Ashok Koul said a “few people” were underdetention. “We are unable to understand why others don’t come forward andresume political activities,” he said.
He said the decision to release the former Chief Ministers,Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, from detention lies with theLG-led government.
“The Centre and Union Home Ministry has made it clear timeagain that their release depends on the decision of the UT administration,”Koul said.
However, he said the political activities in J&K can becarried out “without their presence.”
He said nobody from Congress was under detention. “Whydoesn’t Congress carry out the political activities? We haven’t stoppedanybody. We too are carrying out the activities.”
Koul said the BJP too wants the political activities shouldresume fully in Kashmir.
The senior BJP leader said there might be some “solidreason” for continued detention of the former Chief Ministers.
“The unrest of 2010 and 2016 took place when these peoplewere chief executives of the erstwhile state of J&K,” he said.
The BJP leader said elections in J&K UT cannot be helduntil and unless delimitation is conducted.
“We are hopeful the process is started soon,” he said,adding BJP favours election J&K.
Koul said two BJP leaders will be visiting 136 blocks ofJ&K under the program” Nov Sanz” from march 15 to 25. He said the programwas aimed to resolve pending issues of people.
“These leaders will be spending 48 hours in every block andwill listen to problems of people,” he said, adding the issues of people willbe later taken up with the government.
Koul said the leaders will also create awareness aboutcentral schemes.
Meanwhile, the party has assigned former J&K Minister,Sham Lal Sharma and another party member, ManzoorBhat to central and northKashmir under the program.
The BJP spokesperson, Altaf Thakur, and SofiYousuf have beenassigned the job in south Kashmir.
As per Koul, the initiative was meant to address people’sissues that have remained unresolved over the years.
Our party will act asbridge between people and the government. Such initiatives are need of the hourand we hope it would help people in the long run,” he said.
On the occasion, seven district Presidents were alsofelicitated by Koul and senior leaders.