BJP trashes political alliance of 6 J-K parties, declares Gupkar 'anti-national'

Vibha Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, October 16

Stating that anger in the Kashmir Valley was not against the saffron party or the Centre but against "Muftis and Abdullahs", the BJP on Friday trashed the political alliance of six parties in Jammu and Kashmir, calling it "anti-national".

Former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta, who was in Srinagar in connection with the upcoming Panchayat elections, said "anti-national efforts by divisive forces" will not be tolerated anymore in the Valley.

Dismissing reports of "simmering anger" against the BJP and the Centre in the Valley, Gupta said the reach, scope and acceptance of the saffron party were increasing.

"Despite suffering losses (killings of BJP leaders/ sarpanches in Kashmir) the morale of our cadre remains high. We are preparing for elections to the remaining panchayat posts," he said.

Gupta said the people of the region want peace, brotherhood and development.

"Whether it is Mehbooba Mufti (PDP chief ) or Farooq Abdullah or Omar Abdullah (NC leaders ), they can do whatever they want, but Article 370 is not coming back. They should also accept that abrogation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir will not be reversed and help people move forward."

Regarding reports of support for the newly-formed alliance and the Gupkar declaration, the ex-Deputy CM told The Tribune: "Nothing will come out of it (the alliance). They are exposed. Anyone has the right to carry out political activities within the democratic system but anti-national activities/statements will not be allowed/ tolerated"

"They (Muftis and Abdullahs) have destroyed Kashmir, now they are fighting for political survival. Once elections are over, they will be scattered again. Most of their leaders have already left them, they have either joined the BJP or the Apni Party, " Gupta said.

Notably, the BJP core group is scheduled to meet in Jammu on Friday to decide the course of action. State president Ravinder Raina has also termed Gupkar Declaration as an "anti-national agenda".

Terming the Gupkar declaration an "anti-national and Pakistan’s agenda", he said: "People of Jammu and Kashmir have nothing to do with this agenda. They have already thrown the Gupkar declaration into the dustbin"

"West Pakistan Refugees, Gujjar-Bakarwal community, Valmiki community, Schedule Caste Community, Gorkha Community, women, all nationalist forces faced discrimination in past 70 years because of special status in J&K. Now people are now happy," he said.