Omar''s NOC not needed to hoist flag at Lal Chowk: BJP

New Delhi, Jan 19 (PTI) Asserting that it does notrequire a no objection certificate from the Jammu and KashmirChief Minister to hoist the national flag at Lal Chowk inSrinagar, BJP today said it would be better if Omar Abdullahwelcomes the Ekta Yatra when it reaches the state.

"We don''t need a no objection certificate from ChiefMinister Omar Abdullah. Jammu and Kashmir is an integral partof the country...in fact it would be nice if the CM welcomesthe Ekta Yatra. It is his responsibility (to welcome). He isan elected representative," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussaintold reporters here.

Instead of making statements on BJP youth wing''s plansto hoist the tri-colour in the Valley, Abdullah should focuson ensuring that Pakistani flags are not unfurled in thestate, he said.

"The CM should let Hurriyat leader Syed Ali ShahGeelani and JKLF chief Yasin Malik make statements on theissue and focus on ensuring that Pakistani flags are no waivedin Jammu and Kashmir," Hussain said.

He said since Congress is a partner in the Jammu andKashmir ruling coalition, Home Minister P Chidambaram shouldimpress upon Abdullah not to oppose the Ekta Yatra and insteadhelp the party''s youth wing hoist the national flag at LalChowk.

The BJP spokesperson also rejected contentions thathoisting the national flag at Lal Chowk would create tensionin the Valley. "We do not agree with the assessment...peopleof Jammu and Kashmir love the Indian tricolour and our planwill not create trouble," Hussain said.

Meanwhile, BJP Yuva Morcha President Anurag Thakurasked the Prime Minister to explain why government wasplanning an allowance for militants who had surrendered buthad no money for the special police officers fightingterrorists in the state.