BJP counters Ghulam Nabi's allegations on PM Modi's attitude towards J-K

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday rubbished Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad's remark that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is indifferent towards Jammu and Kashmir and said the state is very special to him as is making relentless efforts for its development, peace and prosperity.

BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain asserted that Prime Minister Modi is not responsible for the problems in Jammu and Kashmir, whereas it is the neighbouring Pakistan which is brewing unrest in the region.

"Jammu and Kashmir is very special to our Prime Minister. He has lot of affection for that state. He has visited Kashmir more times than any other Prime Minister. And the problems which are prevailing in the state are not because of our Prime Minister, Pakistan is responsible for all the issues there," said Hussain.

"The BJP is for peace and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir and our Prime Minister has been working hard for it," he added.

Justifying his 'open letter' to Prime Minister Modi on the Kashmir issue, Azad had said that taking into account the "indifference" shown by the Central Government, especially by the Prime Minister, towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir, it is hard to believe that there is a government at the Centre.

"Kashmir is burning for the past 29 days and curfew has still been clamped in several districts; no elected representative - MP, MLA, MLC or any other leader - can go anywhere; schools and offices are closed; there is only 20-25 percent attendance in settled trade; communication has been out of order; there is no law and order; 55-60 people have been killed, 7,000-8,000 civilians and security forces are injured; use of pellet guns have made hundreds of people blind; in such a situation, we don't have a statement from the Central Government, especially from the Prime Minister. All these force a person to think whether there is a government at the Centre," Azad told ANI on Saturday.