'BJP-PDP coalition will not compromise with integrity of J&K'

New Delhi, Jul 6: On the birth anniversary of Jan Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the BJP on Monday said the coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir will not compromise with his ideology of an integrated state and will never support separatist forces.

Paying tributes to Mookerjee, BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav also said that the Centre is planning some major steps for the development of Jammu and Kashmir.

"Many a times doubts are being raised on whether we (BJP-PDP coalition) are functioning according to the ideology of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the first martyr of Independent India who sacrificed his life for the cause of J&K's unity and integration.

"I want to assure all those who have doubts that we are working on his principles and will not compromise with the integrity of the state. We stand against terrorists and separatist forces," Madhav said.

The BJP General Secretary noted that Mookerjee, who worked for the rights and betterment of the citizens of J&K, was labelled "communal" several times. "Mookerjee, who worked for the rights and betterment of the citizens of J&K, was labelled communal several times but it was Congress under the leadership of Jawahar Lal Nehru which had pushed Kashmir into the cauldron by indulging in divisive politics but was being called secular," he said.

Madhav said the government was planning some "major" steps for the development of flood-hit areas of Jammu and Kashmir and also the three regions (Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir) of the state.

"People of Jammu, people of Ladakh and majority of people in Kashmir Valley feel they are an inseparable part of India. Whatever leaders might say, they feel that they are citizens of India. Being equal citizens of the nation, they and the state government can demand anything they want from the Central government.

"But we will not support or stand by the anti-national forces," he said.

Asking the party cadre to follow Mookerjee's teachings and preachings, Madhav said his life and works would continue to act as an inspiration for all nationalists and political workers of the country for ages to come.

Despite early morning rains, several BJP leaders including Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay, Vijay Goel and Ramesh Bidhuri along with party workers offered floral tributes at the leader's statue in Sahidi Park here.

PTI