Give up path of confrontation: Chidambaram tells BJP

New Delhi, Jan 25 (PTI) As the BJP''s Ekta Yatra entersthe final stage, Home Minister P Chidambaram today appealed toBJP leaders Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj to give up the"path of confrontation" and not push any "political agenda"that will affect peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Home Minister noted that the Jammu and Kashmirgovernment has made it clear that it would neither let anyyatra to Srinagar nor would it allow any assembly at LalChowk.

"The BJP leaders should respect the orders passed bythe state government. It would be most unfortunate if the BJPleaders defy the restrictions placed by the state governmentor deliberately cause a breach of peace. There is nojustification whatsoever to push a political agenda that willcertainly affect peace and law and order in Jammu andKashmir," he said in a statement.

Chidambaram said the state government has also made itclear that it would not allow the BJP leaders to cross thebridge connecting Madhopur and Lakhanpur and enter Jammu andKashmir.

Drawing the attention of the BJP leaders to thestatement made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh January22, Chidambaram said the Republic Day is a day of celebrationand is not an occasion for divisive politics.

"I would request the two Leaders of the Opposition (inParliament) and their colleagues to give up the path ofconfrontation, return to Delhi and join the celebrations inDelhi on Republic Day," he said.

The Home Minister said he had spoken to Jaitley andChief Minister Omar Abdullah yesterday. During theconversation with Jaitley, Chidambaram had told him that heand his colleagues had made their point and that they shouldnot defy the orders of the state government which was the bestjudge to decide whether there was a threat to law and orderand public peace.

"I requested them to return to Delhi. The BJP leaderswere also offered an opportunity to address a press conferenceat Jammu airport and, thereafter, leave Jammu and Kashmir.

Regrettably, they turned down the offer," he said.

In the circumstances, the state government had toremove the BJP leaders and take them to Madhopur in Punjab.

They were lodged for the night in a rest house in Madhopur,he said.