Srinagar separatist rally: BJP's state, central units on same page

JAMMU: A day after separatists raised pro-Pakistan slogans and waived Pakistani flags at a rally in Srinagar, prompting demands for action against them, BJP today said the party, both in the state and at central level, was on the same page to deal with such elements with a strong hand.

"We are on the same page. So far the BJP's national and state units are concerned, there is no difference over the issue of action against seapartsits...," newly-nominated BJP MLC Surinder Ambardar told reporters here.

He was replying to a question about the threat given by the central BJP leadership to the Sayeed government in J-K to ensure immediate action against the separatist leaders or face consequences.

BJP national spokesman G V L Narasimha Rao had said in New Delhi yesterday that, "If corrective action is not taken... If PDP does not conform to expected notes (sic) of BJP and the Centre, consequences would follow".

However, party's senior leader and Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Kumar Singh had yesterday said that action against separatist leader Masarat Alam will be taken at an appropriate time keeping in view the "local situation".

"See the situation in Kashmir. You should see the mob. We will take action under appropriate law and appropriate time. An FIR has been lodged and police will take action at appropriate time," Singh had said.

Ambardar tried to distance himself from the Singh's yesterday's statement and said that that party at centre and state level are on the same page to... deal with such separatists with a strong hand.

Yesterday, hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani held a public rally in the outskirts of Srinagar city where his supporters including Masarat Alam, released from jail last month, raised pro-Pakistan slogans and others waved Pakistani flags.