PDP keeps BJP on the edge

PDP keeps BJP on the edge
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Highlights

The ruling PDP demanded the return of executed terrorist Afzal Guru’s mortal remains on Monday, a day after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed gave a rocky start to the party’s coalition with the BJP by crediting separatist leaders, militants and Pakistan for the smooth conduct of Assembly elections.

Now, Mufti’s MLAs want Afzal Guru’s remains returned

Jammu/New Delhi: The ruling PDP demanded the return of executed terrorist Afzal Guru’s mortal remains on Monday, a day after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed gave a rocky start to the party’s coalition with the BJP by crediting separatist leaders, militants and Pakistan for the smooth conduct of Assembly elections.

Eight People’s Democratic Party MLAs said the party “promises to follow vigorously” the demand for the return of Guru’s mortal remains. Guru was hanged in 2013 for an attack on Parliament in 2001. He was convicted of helping organise arms for the gunmen who made the attack and a place for them to stay. He always maintained his innocence.

“PDP has always maintained that Afzal Guru's hanging was travesty of justice and constitutional requirements and process was not followed in hanging him out of turn," a statement released by the PDP MLAs read. “The way he was picked up from serial no.28 and singled out has been condemned by PDP and it stands by the demand for return of his mortal remains...," it said. "We believe that the resolution brought by Independent MLA Rashid Ahmed to seek clemency for late Afzal Guru was justified and should have been adopted by the House at that time," the statement added.

In 2011, a resolution seeking clemency for Guru could not be taken up in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly due to pandemonium in the House. The resolution became void as according to the rules, any listed business that does not come up for discussion lapses. Speaking in the Lok Sabha on Monday, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh dissociated the government and the BJP from Sayeed’s remarks on the conduct of the polls.

"The government and the party fully dissociate themselves from the remarks." The minister, who was repeatedly interrupted by Opposition members, said that he had come to the House after talking to Prime Minister. "What I am saying, I am saying with deliberation and with consent of prime minister," Singh said.

BJP warns PDP over Afzal Guru remark

New Delhi: The BJP came out strongly against its J&K partner – PDP's demands of returning to Valley mortal remains of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru saying such statements could cause unrest. The note evoked a sharp response from the BJP. "If the PDP continues to speak outside the Common Minimum Program, we will have to remove Article 370," BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said. BJP MLA from Nowshera Ravinder Rana said, "Such statements must be avoided.

It will create unrest in valley." On the second day of assuming charge of Jammu and Kashmir, the rift between alliance partners PDP and BJP widened after the saffron party disagreed with Sayeed's comments made on Sunday crediting Pakistan, Hurriyat and militants for the smooth polls in Jammu and Kashmir.

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