BJP rubbishes Geelani's claim on Modi men meeting him; demands apology

NEW DELHI: Demanding an apology from Syed Ali Shah Geelani, BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad on Saturday said, "We demand an apology from Geelani for his false statements, we condemn this act of misleading people of Kashmir."

"Geelani's statements are false. We assure that no representatives of BJP met with him," Prasad said. Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Friday claimed that BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi had sent emissaries to him and separatist leadership in Jammu and Kashmir to create a "soft corner" for him by making a "commitment" to seek a solution to Kashmir issue.

However, he said he has no hopes on Modi developing a "soft" policy on Jammu and Kashmir and rejected their plea for talks with him.

"Modi has started a campaign and is approaching people here. They have contacted the resistance leadership including myself which is indicative that he is trying to create a soft corner for himself within the freedom camp," he said.

Rejecting such claims by Geelani as "mischievous" and without any basis, BJP said in a statement that no emissary has either try to meet or had met Geelani to discuss the Kashmir issue.

Lok Sabha polls 2014: Get details of candidates & parties from your constituency

The statement said, the BJP's stand that Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India was very clear and there was no room for deliberations on this.

The party had time and again condemned the negative role played by leaders such as Geelani "whose politics is a threat to the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir", the statement said.

(With inputs from PTI)