Says the controversial issue can be resolved amicably
Amid the controversy over beef ban in J&K, senior BJP leader, Ram Madhav Wednesday said there were no differences between his party and its alliance partner PDP on the issue. He said the coalition government can resolve the issue amicably.“There are no differences between the two parties on the issue,” Madhav said after chairing BJP’s core group meeting.
State BJP leaders had expressed resentment over the sacking of two law officers by the government, saying that the party legislators were not consulted ahead of the “unilateral” decision.
Responding to the reservations raised by party leaders, Madhav assured them that he will raise the issue with PDP leadership.
The meeting was attended by BJP’s MP and J&K Incharge Avinash Rai Khanna, Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh, State unit president, Jugal Kishore Sharma, other party ministers and legislators.
Sources said the party leaders discussed the beef ban issue threadbare and some of the leaders favoured implementation of high court order on beef ban in the State.
They said the leaders were angry over sacking of two law officers. “They informed the central leaders that party ministers were not consulted by PDP before sacking Additional Advocate General (AAG) Vishal Sharma and Deputy Advocate General, Jammu, Parimoksh Seth,” sources said.
“Madhav and Khanna were informed by BJP ministers that they were sidelined by PDP and not consulted on many issues including sacking of law officers,” they said.
Sources said Madhav and Khanna assured party leaders that they would raise the issue with PDP leadership.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Madhav said there were many issues which the BJP will discuss with the PDP.
He hoped that the government would work on the Common Minimum Programme for the welfare of the people of the State.
In reply to question, Madhav said the meeting was a routine matter to review political situation and functioning of the government. “Earlier, we had held a similar meeting in Katra,” he said.
On LAHDC elections, Madhav said BJP and PDP will be contesting the polls as per their “suitability”.
Pertinently, BJP wanted to contest LAHDC elections in alliance with PDP. However, PDP has decided to contest the polls alone. The party will be contesting only on four seats.
BJP has given tickets to 22 candidates in LAHDC elections.
Meanwhile, a senior BJP leader who is also junior minister and closely associated with RSS, told that the party leaders expressed concern over “unnecessary controversy” created by the petition filed by Parimoksh Seth.
“There was already a beef ban in the State from the time of Maharaja and there was no need to file a petition on this issue. I think unnecessary controversy was created because after high court orders, people in Kashmir have slaughtered bovines openly and the trend has increased,” he said, adding that the decision to file petition in the court was an “immature step” for which the saffron party is paying heavy price.
The junior minister said they had been implementing restrictions on bovine smuggling strictly in Jammu. “We cannot impose same restrictions in Kashmir as it would disturb peace and communal harmony in the state.”
He said the beef controversy may seriously impact the coalition. “The central leadership should intervene and give an advice to party leaders on how to come out of the situation.”
Meanwhile, a BJP leader, who attended the core group meeting, alleged that many party ministers including Dy CM do not listen to fellow party leaders and activists and work for their own interests.
Sources said Madhav insisted on BJP ministers to work in close coordination with PDP for smooth functioning of the government.
