As the BJP negotiates the Common Minimum Programme with the PDP for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, the RSS on Tuesday “cautioned” it against compromising on issues such as Article 370 and the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA).
Senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar said, “Fanaticism and separatism are not healthy for the country. What has a separate Constitution and a flag given to the people of J&K? When asked, the people of J&K say that no other State has a separate flag but they are progressing and we aren’t.” He also said, “The people of Jammu and Kashmir should look towards Delhi and not Islamabad… People have voted for ballot and Delhi, both parties will respect this in the agreement.”
However, BJP general secretary and key negotiator Ram Madhav said responsible people in the RSS have been “kept in the loop” about the talks. “If some people are making comments that means they are not in the know. We are trying to find a way out after consulting everybody, the PDP and their representatives as well.”
He was not in a position to give a time frame for the process to be completed but said, “The effort is to secure a comprehensive Common Minimum Programme as soon as possible.”
Asked if a government will be in place in the border State before the commencement of the Parliament session on February 23, he said, “possibly.”
Published - February 18, 2015 01:44 am IST
