Jammu and Kashmir: Doors open for separatists to join mainstream says BJP

BJP on Friday appealed to the separatists in Jammu and Kashmir to join the political mainstream and approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi instead of knocking at the doors of Pakistani PM. "Instead of approaching Pakistani Prime Minister or Pakistan High Commissioner, it is better to join (political) mainstream. Come to Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi, the doors are always open," Ram Madhav, national spokesman of BJP, told reporters in Jammu on Friday.

"We will not join hands with separatists, but having said it, we appeal to all sections of people to leave separatists path and join political mainstream. Come forward, doors are open for you," Madhav said. "The BJP would welcome anyone who is ready to join Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his mission of development of Jammu and Kashmir. The only condition is that they have to stand against the dynasty rule," Madhav said. He, however, parried queries on the issue of Article 370. "BJP will address the issue in its manifesto, and the manifesto will be according to our ideology. We will discuss it later," Madhav said. Meanwhile, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said the BJP would allow the elected party legislators to select the Chief Minister after the elections.

Singh said, "The myth that BJP is a communal party has been busted as it has taken along members of all religions and castes. The myth of anti-incumbency has also been busted as formation of successive BJP governments in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and other states is an answer that BJP provides good governance." "Only BJP can provide equal opportunity in terms of development. We want to replicate the model of good governance of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh in Jammu and Kashmir as well," Singh Said.