BJP opposes demilitarisation of Siachen Glacier

Dehradun, Apr 25: BJP supremo Rajnath Singh taking strong exception to the statement of National Security Advisor M K Narayanan on demilitarisation of Siachen Glacier, said before taking any decision on such a sensitive issue the government should take the opposition into confidence.

''The government should draw the line of friendship with Pakistan from where country's strategical importance starts getting affected,'' Mr Singh warned the government while addressing a press conference here today. Referring to the statement of Chief of the Army staff General JJ Singh that military would not be withdrawn from Siachen, he said for the first time in Indian History an Army General has to issue a statement contradictng that of the government. He sought clarification from the Prime Minister on the issue. Remarking on the US-Indo Nuclear deal, he said if same privileges are not given to India that is given to China, India should reconsider the deal. On the upheavel in Nepal, Mr Rajnath said India should ensure that Maoist power does not grow. He said the Indian government was late in intervening in the matter.

Mr Rajnath Singh referring to Mitrokhin papers, Volkar Report, and Food for Oil scandals said the UPA government has lost its credibility.''It seems Indian masses are looking for an alternative,'' he said.

Not ruling out possibilities of a mid-term poll, Mr Rajnath Singh said the ''BJP is ready, by all means''. Claimimg his Bharat Suraksha Yatra was successful he said it has received good response in Uttaranchal also. His second phase of the Yatra ended in Uttaranchal completing 422 km distance from Khatima to Dehradun last evening at Rangers College ground with a public address.

UNI