The Hindu : West adopting dual policy: BJP

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 17, 2002

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West adopting dual policy: BJP

By Our Correspondent

Jammu June 16. The Bharatiya Janata Party president, K. Jana Krishnamurthy, today accused the western powers, including the United States, of adopting different policies towards Pakistan and India. Addressing a press conference here, he said in a reference to the U.S. that it was an irony that the country which was leaving no stone unturned to convince India to initiate diplomatic ties with Pakistan was itself closing down its consulate in that country following a terrorist attack.

He said pious methods and words were not enough to end terrorism in Pakistan. It would only be possible if stringent steps were taken, and the Pakistan President, General Pervez Musharraf, must realise this.

Describing India's campaign against terrorism as successful, Mr. Krishnamurty said the country's efforts had certainly succeeded in convincing the world about its concern for terrorism which had killed thousands of innocent people.

Asked about the increased U.S. intervention in the country, he said, "Now the U.S. is on our side in our fight against terrorism as they have realised the ground realities prevailing here."

Accusing the Left parties of adopting an "anti-national agenda", he said their opposition to A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's candidature for the President's post was baseless. To become the country's President one need not be a constitutional expert. Even the Congress had accepted Dr. Kalam's nomination, he added.

About the BJP's choice for the post of Vice-President, he said the party, along with the other coalition partners, would discuss about the likely candidates. Till now, no decision had been taken in this respect.

Attacking the Congress President, Sonia Gandhi, for her statements in Gujarat, the BJP president said they showed that she was still politically immature.

Asked if there was any change in the BJP's stand on autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir, he said the Prime Minister had already stated that he was ready to discuss the autonomy report although the party was opposed to the autonomy which the Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, was demanding.

Mr. Krishnamurthy said the BJP was preparing for the Assembly polls in J&K and an election committee at the State and Central levels had been constituted to decide on the candidates.

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West adopting dual policy: BJP