The Hindu : 'BJP using Kashmir issue for electoral gains'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 26, 2003

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Other States - Jammu & Kashmir

'BJP using Kashmir issue for electoral gains'

By Luv Puri

Jammu Feb. 25. The People's Democratic Front chairman and CPI (M) leader, Mohd.Yosuf Tarigami, today accused the BJP of obstructing the path of normalisation in the State for partisan and communal considerations.

Talking to The Hindu here today, he said it seemed that the ``BJP had a vested interest in keeping the Kashmir issue for its electoral gains as it was obstructing every sane path of the new Government."

The State Government started releasing prisoners against whom there was no serious charge, and it was in continuation of the policy of the previous regime. During the previous Government's tenure several thousands of people had been released.

But, this time the BJP for furtherance of its electoral ambitions had made it an issue.

There was nothing wrong in releasing innocents from jails, as this would only check the alienation of the youth.

"If the party continues to exploit Kashmir for narrow interests it will only make our efforts difficult. The free and fair elections had provided an opportunity to bring peace in the trouble-torn State."

The BJP was bent upon dividing people on religious lines, which was neither good for the State nor the country. Appealing to the Sangh Parivar not to subvert the recently-started peace initiative with the appointment of N.N. Vohra by the Centre either overtly or covertly, he said, "No initiative can succeed in Kashmir when partisan interests involved. There is a need to realise that the pain of the people of the State should be shared by everyone in the country in the supreme interest of the nation. "

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