Challenging time awaits Jammu and Kashmir: BJP

The BJP in Jammu and Kashmir today warned that more challenging time awaits the state and said nationalist forces should be strengthened to meet any challenges to the unity and integrity of the country.

"There is an immediate need for strengthening the forces of nationalism to meet the challenges ahead to the unity and integrity of the country. We warn that coming times for Jammu and Kashmir could be most challenging," BJP Legislative Party leader Chaman Lal Gupta said.

Hurriyat Conference and National Conference have now joined the chorus with the Congress in accusing the BJP of being communal, he said.

Gupta was addressing a meeting here at Rehari of his party activists.

The BJP has great stakes in the unity and peace in the state as the nationalists had made sacrifices under the leadership of late Pandit Prem Nath Dogra, he said.

He also alleged that the state's ruling leaders, who were taking advantage of Article 370, have been playing foul with the democratic rights of the people.

The Congress and its allies should explain that how this so-called special status had benefitted the people of the state, the former Union minister said.