Alam an extremist, not a political prisoner: BJP

BJP today said top separatist leader Masarat Alam is not a political prisoner but an "extremist with Rs 10 lakh bounty" on his head.
"Masarat Alam does not fit into the definition of a political prisoner. He is a criminal, separatist and extremist for India. He carries a Rs 10-lakh bounty on his head," BJP leader and spokesperson Vijay Sonkar Shastri said here.
On PDP's contention that releasing "political prisoner" was one of the points agreed upon in the Common Minimum Programme of PDP-BJP alliance government in J-K, he said "such an extremist is released without consulting the alliance partner, the BJP. It is a transgression of the alliance dharma (on the part of PDP)," he said after taking part in a VHP programme here.

"We asked the PDP to clarify if Alam is an Indian citizen. Does he abide by the Indian and J-K laws? They have not clarified on this till now," Shastri said.
Asked about the fate of PDP-BJP alliance in J-K he said, "Our J-K leadership has expressed its reservation to the PDP in this regard. As far as decision on this alliance is concerned, it is the prerogative of our party's national president Amit Shah," he said.
He also attacked the Samajwadi Party-led Uttar Pradesh government for "not doing anything" to stop crime in the state.
When asked about reports that Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) is planning to contest election on several Assembly seats in UP, he said, "Our party has prepared for election at the booth levels. Lakhs of new members have registered with us. And I can bet that BJP will form the next government in UP.