Give up path of confrontation: PC to BJP

Concerned over Ekta Yatra, Home Minister P Chidambaram Tuesday appealed to the BJP.

New Delhi: As the BJP`s Ekta Yatra enters
the final stage, Home Minister P Chidambaram Tuesday appealed to
BJP leaders Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj to give up the
"path of confrontation" and not push any "political agenda"
that will affect peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Home Minister noted that the Jammu and Kashmir
government has made it clear that it would neither let any
yatra to Srinagar nor would it allow any assembly at Lal
Chowk.

"The BJP leaders should respect the orders passed by
the state government. It would be most unfortunate if the BJP
leaders defy the restrictions placed by the state government
or deliberately cause a breach of peace. There is no
justification whatsoever to push a political agenda that will
certainly affect peace and law and order in Jammu and
Kashmir," he said in a statement.

Chidambaram said the state government has also made it
clear that it would not allow the BJP leaders to cross the
bridge connecting Madhopur and Lakhanpur and enter Jammu and
Kashmir.

Drawing the attention of the BJP leaders to the
statement made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh January
22, Chidambaram said the Republic Day is a day of celebration
and is not an occasion for divisive politics.

"I would request the two Leaders of the Opposition (in
Parliament) and their colleagues to give up the path of
confrontation, return to Delhi and join the celebrations in
Delhi on Republic Day," he said.

The Home Minister said he had spoken to Jaitley and
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah yesterday. During the
conversation with Jaitley, Chidambaram had told him that he
and his colleagues had made their point and that they should
not defy the orders of the state government which was the best
judge to decide whether there was a threat to law and order
and public peace.

"I requested them to return to Delhi. The BJP leaders
were also offered an opportunity to address a press conference
at Jammu airport and, thereafter, leave Jammu and Kashmir.
Regrettably, they turned down the offer," he said.

In the circumstances, the state government had to
remove the BJP leaders and take them to Madhopur in Punjab.
They were lodged for the night in a rest house in Madhopur,
he said.

PTI

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