BJP uses Amarnath issue for 'political' resurrection: Congress

New Delhi, Aug 6 (UNI) Alleging that the BJP and Hindutva outfits were behind the agitation in Jammu and Kashmir on the Amarnath land issue as part of their efforts to 'resurrect' themselves ahead of the state assembly elections, the Congress today asked them to decide whether national interests or the party interests was important to them.

'Certain political parties, especially the BJP, are trying for political resurrection ahead of the state assembly elections," AICC Spokesman Manish Tewari told mediapersons, while pointing out that the BJP could get just one seat in the last assembly elections.

Alleging that the BJP, RSS, Bajrang Dal, VHP and the Hindu Mahasabha were behind the violent agitation in Kashmir, he said, "In doing so, they make nation pay a heavy price." In this context, Mr Tewari asked the BJP to explain what was the basis of the agitation, and said the Amarnath land issue was completely a 'bogus' issue as no alienation or transfer of land has taken place. "It is like raising a goose and sky it." "The fact of the matter is that the BJP and others seek to ignore all facts vis-a-vis the Amarnath land issue, and try to make a political capital." Mr Tewari asked the BJP if it was right to cut off the people of Kashmir from the rest of the country and block the highway and food supplies to the people and also to the large number of armed forces who had been keeping a vigil on the borders and tackle cross border terrorism.

On the statement of senior Congress Leader Karan Singh suggesting a five-point programme, including leasing of land to the SASB for two months annually, to defuse the present crisis, the Spokesman said,'' "What he had expressed is his personal opinion and not party views." Before attending the all-party meeting convened by the Prime Minister on the security situation arising out of the Amarnath land row, the allies of the ruling UPA and its supporters held a meeting today and discussed the likely impact of the ongoing agitation in Jammu and Kashmir.

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