Omar is ''encouraging'' separatists by opposing our plan: BJP

Jammu, Jan 14 (PTI) BJP today accused Jammu and KashmirChief Minister Omar Abduallah of "encouraging" the separatistsby opposing the party''s plan to hoist the tricolour at LalChowk in Srinagar.

"Omar is indirectly supporting the statements of Hurriyatand JKLF over the flag hoisting issue. The CM is trying toprevent the nationalist party of the country to hoist theIndian flag in Kashmir and thus encouraging the separatist tomaintain their anti-Indian mission," state BJP Chief ShamsherSingh Manhas told reporters here.

"He is whipping up anti-BJP sentiment in Kashmir bydeliberately triggering a campaign. If Omar, his ministers orsenior functionaries of administration and party leaders canhoist the tricolour in Jammu and other district headquartersthen why BJYM activists cannot hoist flag in Kashmir?" heasked.

The BJP leader said the party''s youth wing BharatiyaJanata Yuva Morcha is firm to hoist the national flag at LalChowk on Republic Day.

Yesterday, Chief Minister Abdullah had appealed to theBJP to shun its plan to hoist flag, saying "disturbing thepeaceful atmosphere in the state will not be in the interestsof the people of the country... (and he hopes that) good sensewill prevail on the BJP."

The BJP leader said "need of the hour is to hoist Indianflag at Lal Chowk and to discourage, and demoralise theanti-India forces, so they acknowledge fully that Jammu andKashmir is an integral part of India."

For peaceful hoisting of flag, "the state government mustsupport the BJYM move," he appealed.