STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Accusing State and Central Governments of pushing Kashmir into a ‘whirlpool of violence’, former Minister and JKPCC Vice President, Raman Bhalla on Wednesday said that the BJP and PDP owe an explanation to the people.
“BJP in particular owes an explanation to the people of the country for having brought disaster to Kashmir Valley with open space to anti-nationals and subversion and restrictions on security forces,” Bhalla said.
The appeasement policy followed for the past 18 months has emboldened separatists and subversive elements, he said. He attacked BJP for “mismatch” in rhetoric and action, accusing it of antagonizing the country’s nationalist forces.
Congress leader said the situation has deteriorated as the BJP is actively toeing PDP’s line.
“In sharp contrast to its pre-election jingoistic harangues, the BJP was indulging in flip-flops and opportunism which brought the State to a boiling mode,” Bhalla said.
The administration went “missing” as did local political leaders, including parliamentarians and legislators, who surfaced to make feeble “media” appeals rather than harness their worker-potential on ground. The sharp wedge between communities is being seen as direct fallout of inexperience of the Coalition Government which failed to assess the ground situation and gets its act together.
Bhalla said that the impression that the BJP Government created was whatever its leaders were saying earlier was only the opposition rhetoric and “in their books, terror and talks can go hand in hand. So this is going to be the long-term implication for India.”
The Congress leader said that he hopes that the government learns from the experience of other countries as to how they have been firm and consistent in dealing with terrorism irrespective of whether a particular party was in government or Opposition.
“So the flip flop, which has characterised the so far tenure of the government in almost every sphere is really going to undermine India’s fight against terror,” Bhalla alleged.
Bhalla said, “Congress party has always supported peaceful resolution of all disputes with neighbors through dialogue as also in a spirit of mutual cooperation and co-existence.”
