BJP: Will talk with separatists who believe in Indian Constitution

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 18

Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Member of Parliament Shamsher Singh Mahnas today said the Centre would hold a dialogue with only those groups who “believe” in the Indian Constitution.

“Whosoever believes in the Constitution, the Centre has no problem talking to them… they (Centre) were ready then and they are ready now,” Manhas said while addressing a press conference here.

The MP was replying to a query whether the government intended to hold a dialogue with separatists.

Regarding the issuance of passport to leader of the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Syed Ali Geelani, Manhas said the separatist leader had to first clarify whether he was “with the Indian government”. “Only then, the government can decide,” he added.

Even as several quarters have raised the ante over the delay in rehabilitating flood victims and the slow pace of development works, Manhas said positive results would be visible in the coming days.

“The new government has taken over just two months back…. Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu have held deliberations with the Centre… you will see the results in the coming days,” he said.

Manhas is scheduled to launch the BJP’s ‘Maha Sampark Abhiyan’ in the Valley tomorrow.

Speaking on the occasion, MLC Ramesh Arora flayed the National Conference (NC) for questioning the veracity of the BJP’s membership drive.

“We have registered 3,05,000 (in the Valley)… more than 50,000 in the old city only. It (NC) is speaking out of sheer frustration… youth are associated with us,” he said.

Arora said the NC should give an account of what it had achieved when in power instead of blaming a newly formed government.

He said the ministers would soon start direct interactions with people on a regular basis to redress their grievances.