BJP to adopt ''independent cadre'' : Jaitley

Jammu, Oct 7 (UNI) In a bid to deep root itself, the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) today said the party would support and adopt the powerful ''independent cadre'' in weak constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir in forthcoming assembly elections.

''As the BJP finalised to contest elections from all the 87 seats, the party senior leaders have also decided to adopt the powerful ''independent candidates'' in the constituencies where BJP will not be in a position to win the seats,'' Arun Jaitley, BJP national general secretary and in-charge of J &K affairs said at a press conference here.

Mr Jaitley asserted that there was a dire need of a government influenced by the national ideas in Jammu and Kashmir and BJP would not accept the division of nationalist forces in the state at any cost.

''BJP will never tolerate the division of nationalist forces in J &K and stress will be laid on adopting powerful candidates with an ideology of nationalism as well as establishment of nationalist government has become a must in the state,'' the BJP leader added.

He however, alleged that Congress party was applying 'double face policy' as the party is trying to delay the assembly elections.

''If Congress wants scheduled elections on time, then there was no need of waiting for the Election Commission's decision on announcing the dates. Congress should clear its intensions and openly come forward for the timely polls'' added Mr Jaitley.

The BJP senior leader further added that Congress is scared of losing assembly elections in the state and thus tactfully wanted to delay the polls.

''A team of Election Commission is visiting the Jammu and Kashmir to review the situation and we hope that dates for the elections will be announced soon,'' Mr Jaitley said asserting, ''the situation is conducive for elections as it is similar to that of during 2002 elections.'' The Home Ministry should provide adequate security arrangements and deploy additional forces to satisfy the Election Commission for the polls, he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Jaitaley further added that BJP would focus on three issues in the coming elections including Congress-PDP coalition partners encouraging subversive forces in the state and discrimination with Jammu, secondly Congress backing the rising terrorism in the country and finally the poor economy structure of the country.

''I must say that we are being burdened economically and not safe under the UPA government,'' alleged Mr Jaitley.

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