Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) decided to pull out of its alliance with Mehbooba Mufti’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. The two parties had formed an alliance in Jammu and Kashmir in 2014.
Moments after the announcement, Mehbooba Mufti resigned as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.
“It has become untenable for the BJP to continue its alliance government in Jammu and Kashmir,” BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav said in a press conference.
“After a lot of discussions, the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and (party chief) Amit Shah and other BJP leaders decided that it has become untenable for the BJP to continue in the alliance in Jammu and Kashmir,” Madhav said.
“Keeping in mind the fact that J-K is an integral part of India, integrity and sovereignty of the region, we want the governor to take charge of the state,” said Ram Madhav.
Keeping in mind the larger interest of India’s integrity and to bring the deteriorating situation in the state under control, it would be apt to hand over the governance to the governor of J&K : Shri @rammadhavbjp
— BJP (@BJP4India) June 19, 2018
Restoring peace in Kashmir and encouraging fast development in Jammu and Kashmir, these were the objectives that we joined with PDP: Shri @rammadhavbjp
— BJP (@BJP4India) June 19, 2018
“It pains me to say that those who are more in control of the government could not achieve these objectives,” BJP General Secretary said, while adding “Because the whole government does not belong to the BJP, there was a sort of discrimination which the people of Jammu and Ladakh were experiencing”.
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On Ramzan ceasefire initiative, Madhav said, “We had suspended operations in the Valley because of the importance of Ramzan for the people in Jammu and Kashmir. We had expected a good response from the Hurriyat. This was a goodwill gesture. But during this one month, there was no appropriate response from the terrorists and other people”.
“Today, terrorism and violence has increased in Kashmir. Radicalisation is growing fast. Fundamental rights of citizens are now in danger,” he also said.
“You saw how Shujaat Bukhari was murdered in Jammu and Kashmir,” Madhav added.
Terrorism, violence and radicalisation have risen and fundamental rights of the citizens are under danger in the Kashmir valley. Despite support from the Central govt, PDP failed to control the situation : Shri @rammadhavbjp pic.twitter.com/2HEb5n82GU
— BJP (@BJP4India) June 19, 2018
While stressing on Central government’s development agenda of the state, Ram Madhav said “Central government was doing all it could for the development of Jammu and Kashmir. The Home Minister used to visit the Valley from time to time. You know that an interlocutor was also appointed for addressing grievances of the people in Jammu and Kashmir”.
Earlier on Tuesday, BJP national president Amit Shah had called an urgent meeting in Delhi with some of the top leaders of the party and J-K BJP ministers.
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BJP state chief Ravinder Raina and party general secretary (organisation) Ashok Kaul have been also called for the meeting.
It was speculated that BJP central leadership would deliberate on the party’s strategy in the state ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and also take stock of the political situation in Jammu and Kashmir.