Srinagar: Reacting to the release of hardline Hurriyat leader Masarat Alam by the PDP government, the BJP said on Sunday that the decision did not have BJP's consent.
"Party is not happy with this, we weren't aware of this decision," said Jugal Kishore, BJP state president, as per ANI.
He added, "We don't want any decision to be taken which doesn't go with the sentiments of people of J&K."
PDP and BJP are running a coalition government in the state.
Alam, the leader of the hardline-faction of Hurriyat, who had spearheaded the stone-pelting agitations in the Valley in 2008 and 2010, was released from prison yesterday following the Mufti Mohd Sayeed government's policy of freeing political prisoners who do not face criminal charges.
Meanwhile, slamming the release of Alam, the Congress today asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come clean on his stand over the "continuous adventurism" of the PDP-BJP government in Jammu and Kashmir which was "endangering" the peace in the Valley.
"We strongly condemn the release of Masrath Alam. Prime Minister, and BJP must answer as to why peaceful atmosphere of Jammu & Kashmir is being sought to be disturbed by successive unilateral moves by PDP-BJP government," AICC Communication Department in-charge Randip Surjewala said.
He recalled that the J&K Chief Minister within an hour of swearing in of the PDP-BJP government, had thanked the separatists, terrorists and Pakistan for peaceful polls instead of thanking the valour of people of Jammu & Kashmir, security forces and Election Commission.
Another Congress leader Manish Tewari took to Twitter to slam the government on the issue.
"BJP-PDP government releases Masarat Alam in Srinagar, BJP protests in Jammu, evades in Delhi questions, Mr PM who is he political prisoner or terrorist?"
Should Masrat Alam Khan not be BJP's new poster boy of Indian Nationalism? Organize stone pelting & be crowned Political Prisoner by BJP-PDP
— Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) March 8, 2015
BJP- PDP govt Releases Masrat Alam in Srinagar, BJP protests in Jammu, evades in Delhi Ques Mr PM who is he political prisoner or terrorist?
— Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) March 8, 2015
On the other hand, Congress' Digvijay tweeted: "Masarat Alam released by PDP/ BJP govt. VHP opposes. PDP must clarify its decision and more so BJP allies in Govt. Double Standards of BJP."
Masarat Alam released by PDP/ BJP Govt. VHP opposes. PDP must clarify its decision and more so BJP allies in Govt. Double Standards of BJP !
— digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) March 8, 2015
With PTI inputs
