BJP condemns Mufti on Pak Currency issue

New Delhi, Apr 15 (UNI) Taking strong exception to former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed for advocating the use of Pakistan's currency along with Indian currency in the state, the BJP today termed the statement ''condemnable, outrageous and anti-national.'' The BJP said Mr Sayeed and his daughters were in the habit of making objectionable statements and referred to to the one when they talked of joint control of India and Pakistan for running the administration in Jammu and Kashmir.

Talking to newspersons, BJP Parliamentary Party spokesman Vijay Kumar Malhotra said the BJP had a very firm stand on the issue that it would not allow pre-1953 situation in the state. It had rejected the special status to the state and would never support two constitutions, two prime ministers and two flags.

Till now, none had talked about two currencies, Mr Malhotra said, wondering what made Mr Sayeed to make such a pro-Pakistani statement.

The Congress, which was ruling the state with support from the PDP should make its stand clear on the issue and must ''severe its ties with such a separatist party,'' he said.

For BJP, the Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India and it would thwart all efforts by the separatist elements to separate the state from the country, he added.

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