BJP never sought abrogation, amendment of article 370: V.K. Singh

Minister of State for External Affairs Gen V.K. Singh Saturday said the BJP stands for a relook at article 370 that grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir but it never sought its abrogation or amendment.

"The BJP's poll plank was development and not article 370," Singh told reporters upon his arrival here.

"Article 370 got introduced somewhere or the other because the people kept asking about it. And I think all that the party said at that time was that we need to relook at all things in the country which unnecessarily create problems. That is all."

The BJP "never said it (article 370) is to be removed. It never said it has to be amended. Nobody said that," he said.

Singh also sent out a message to Kashmiri separatist leaders to come forward for talks with the central government.

"We have got no bar, anybody can come and meet us. There is no problem. A person must also come up if you have some problem, if you are not going to tell me the problem, how would I know of it?

"So it has to be a two-way dialogue. It cannot be just one way. Then it is seen differently.

"So what my recommendation would be through you, a message to all those who consider themselves as separatists or those who are called separatists, they should come forward, engage in a dialogue. Let us find a way that is good for Jammu and Kashmir.

He is scheduled to meet some BJP leaders and party workers during his Saturday visit.

Jammu and Kashmir goes to the polls later this month.