The deteriorating law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir was the main reason for the BJP to pull out from the coalition government and pave the way for Governor’s rule to ensure the restoration of peace and normalcy, State party chief Ravinder Raina said on Wednesday.
The decision was not abrupt and was taken after three-month long deliberations in the larger interest of the nation, he asserted. He denied any politics behind the decision.
“The main issue was the fast deteriorating law and order situation in the Valley. The only alternative was Governor’s rule because there will be a single line administration,” he said. “There might be political compulsions for parties in handling such a tough situation but during Governor’s rule, we are of the opinion that anti-terror operations and operations against anti-social elements will easily be carried out.”
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'Army given a free hand'
Mr. Raina, who was flanked by several top BJP leaders, including former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta, said restoration of law and order was the need of the hour. The Army was given a free hand in the last three years, resulting in the elimination of 619 terrorists. As many as 23 Pakistan terrorists were also neutralised by the forces during the Ramzan ceasefire, which was part of many initiatives taken to restore peace.
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Mr. Raina said the government was not able to carry out anti-terror operations as the BJP wanted. “We wanted terrorist-free Kashmir to allow people to live their lives with honour and dignity and without any fear.”
Referring to the suspension of operations during Ramzan, he said Pakistan responded to the initiative by activating the entire International Border and parts of the Line of Control on the same day the Centre announced it. Infiltrators were pushed and innocents were targeted, including a renowned journalist who was killed in the broad daylight.
“The Jammu bus stand was attacked with a grenade, while Army jawan sepoy Choudhary Aurangzeb was shot dead after abduction,” he said defending the BJP’s decision.
He also referred to the killing of police officers, including DSP Mohammad Ayoub Pandit, who was lynched by a mob at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar in 2017.
Asked whether the Army would be given a free hand to deal with the situation under Governor’s rule, he said the Army always enjoyed free hand and was fully capable to deal with any challenge. He denied that the BJP was not waiting for any opportunity.
“We believe nation stands first and the Tricolour is our priority. The BJP is not for power. Had it been our aim, there were still three more years left to govern the State,” he said.
'Difficulty in implementing developmental projects'
In response to another question whether it was a mistake on the part of the BJP to ally with the PDP, Mr. Raina said his party tried its best to form a government on its own but fell short of its mission 44 plus seats. The BJP faced some difficulty in implementing developmental projects as some Ministries were not with the party.
On National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah’s demand for the dissolution of the Assembly due to apprehensions of horse-trading, he said, “It is his personal view. Those who indulge in such practice speak such things. The BJP never talks about it and we don’t have this motive.”
He avoided answering questions on Article 370, which gives special status to the State.
Asked about former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s statement that her party acted according to its agenda and ensured protection of Article 370, ceasefire and withdrawal of cases against pelters of stones, Mr. Gupta said nothing was possible without the support of the BJP.
“We supported the PDP in restoration of normalcy. We felt that some Ministries, including the Home Ministry (which was under the Chief Minister) failed to take tough decisions and demonstrated soft approach and registered FIRs against security personnel,” he said.