BJP leader Naidu demands clear Central policy on Kashmir

Chennai, Oct. 28 (ANI): Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader M.Venkaiah Naidu has asked the Central Government to come out with a clear policy on Kashmir and also sought strict action against Booker Prize-winning author Arundhati Roy for favouring secessionists in Kashmir.

Naidu also criticized hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and pro-Maoist leader Varavara Rao for casting aspersions on the accession of Kashmir to India.

"The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) demands the Government of India should have a clear cut policy vis-à-vis Kashmir, vis-à-vis separatists and take strongest action against the people who are spreading disaffection by taking exemplary action against them," Naidu told a news conference here on Wednesday.

The statements made by Geelani and Roy have been condemned by leaders across the Indian political spectrum, with many even demanding legal action against them.

Naidu also accused the Congress party of misusing central institutions for a political cause after income tax officials raided 60 places in Karnataka on Monday, targeting affluent legislators of the ruling BJP, including ministers.

"Everybody, even the children on the street and a layman on the street, can understand the purpose and the motive behind the income tax raids in Bangalore and other places for the last two days. Never has it happened.

That's why I said the Congress party and the central government is misusing in a brazen manner, in a naked manner, the central institutions like CBI, like governor's institution, like income tax department now to further their political cause and they want to destabilize the government," added Naidu.

The raids come at a time when the political climate of Karnataka is rife with allegations of horse-trading by the BJP to prove its majority on the floor of the house and retain power in the state.

The BJP government in Karnataka was reduced to a minority of 106 members in the 225-member assembly after 19 deputies, including five Independents, withdrew their support. (ANI)