Summit no compromise: BJP

By J. P. Shukla

SAHARANPUR, JUNE 15. The BJP president, Mr. Jana Krishamurthi, today said the Pakistan Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf's coming visit to India would be a big step forward if it led to a reduction in violence in Jammu and Kashmir and further talks between the two countries at any level.

Talking to reporters before the start of the crucial BJP State executive session here, he said though the party did not have much expectations from the visit, it would welcome him in the true Indian tradition. Developments in bilateral relations had had their desired impact in Pakistan also where Gen. Musharraf had disapproved of the anti-Indian propaganda unleashed by certain sections and advised them to stop it.

Explaining the BJP's stand on Kashmir, Mr. Krishnamurthi said the party stood by the unanimous resolution passed by Parliament affirming that Kashmir was an integral part of India. Also, the party did not support the idea of dividing the State into Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Admitting that Jammu and Ladakh were the most backward areas in the State, he said a special economic package must be developed. Any division of the State was unacceptable.

The BJP leader did not find a contradiction in the Centre's interlocutor, Mr. K. C. Pant, going to Kashmir and Gen. Musharraf coming to India simultaneously. The two events were complementary, he stressed.

When it was pointed out that Gen. Musharraf did not head a democratically-elected government in Pakistan and whether his visit signalled India's acceptance of the credibility of his rule, the BJP leader said the coming summit did not mean a compromise of democratic values. When democratic rule was thrown out in Pakistan, many countries had expressed concern but continued talking to the Pakistani ruler.

Both Mr. Krishnamurthy and the State BJP president, Mr. Kalraj Mishra, inaugurating the executive meeting later, painted a rosy picture of the party's poll prospects. In their opinion there was no alternative to the saffron forces in the State. As for the Opposition, the Congress, despite being an important national political force, had little existence here while the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Samajwadi Party had only ``sectarian appeal''. ``The BJP, instead, rejected vote bank politics and had a universal appeal.''

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Section  : National
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