Self-rule in J

Udhampur/Jammu, Apr 30 (UNI) BJP president Rajnath Singh today said any move of the Congress-led UPA government at Centre towards granting self-rule in Jammu and Kashmir would be a ''dangerous step for the safety, sovereignty and integrity of the nation''.

''It would be a painfull event for all those patriotic people of the country if this UPA government led by Dr (Manmohan) Singh implements this (self-rule),'' Mr Singh said while addressing mediapersons during his 'Bharat Suraksha Yatra' here.

The issue of Jammu and Kashmir is the ''gift of Congress party to the nation'' and till now over lakhs of our soldiers have laid down their lives for the sovereignty and integrity of the country, Mr Singh said, adding the country had spent over billions of thousand crore rupees on the four wars, for its integrity.

''After doing so much, now if we accept the separatist groups' demand of self-rule for this state than what was the need of fighting those four wars, costing the precious lives of the soldiers?'' Mr Singh said.

He, however, cautioned the Centre that it would be a ''dangerous step for the safety, sovereignty and integrity of the nation''.

The BJP president said Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, in a letter to the Prime Minister, has asked for the economic independence to the state, which is another dangerous step towards seperation.

''When the Centre is providing all financial assistance and support without any prejudice than what is the need for economic independence?'' he further said.

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