BJP sends resignations of its 2 ministers to Mehbooba

A possible political crisis in Jammu and Kashmir was averted today with the BJP, one of the ruling alliance partners, deciding to hand over to the chief minister the resignations of its two ministers whose presence at a rally in support of the accused arrested in connection with rape-and-murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua triggered a row.

BJP general secretary Ram Madhav flew to Jammu this morning and held consultations with senior party leaders as well as MLAs and MLCs to discuss the situation in the state.

Immediately after the meeting, Madhav told reporters that the resignations of the two ministers -- Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga -- would be handed over to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti for further action.

The senior BJP leader admitted that the two ministers displayed lack of discretion by taking part in the rally, but made it clear that there was no attempt to sabotage the investigations as charged by the Congress party.

"The charge that the two ministers were pro-rapist is absolutely wrong. It was sheer indiscretion on their part," he said.

"However, after this, there was concern in the entire country about the ghastly crime committed on the little girl...Therefore, keeping in mind the perception and general situation, the two BJP leaders, after holding consultations with the prime minister and other senior leaders of the party, decided to submit their resignations," Madhav told reporters.

He rejected reports that there was any pressure from his alliance partner PDP for withdrawal of the two ministers. "No pressure, no ultimatum. This is all your figment of imagination," Madhav said in his reply to a query from a reporter that the PDP had threatened to walk out of the alliance if the two ministers did not resign.

Asked whether a dent has been created in the alliance after the Kathua rape-and-murder issue, Madhav said, "As far as this case is concerned, we have done our bit by allaying the fears and misconception created in the minds of people of Jammu and Kashmir but also in the entire country by asking our two ministers to resign. Beyond that I don't think there will be any impact of this incident or these developments on the coalition."
On the plea for a CBI probe saying the investigations have been completed in three months and a charge sheet has been submitted in the court. "It is up to the court now to decide."
To a question that the two ministers had participated in the rally in support of the accused in the rape case where the national tricolour was being used, Madhav said, "That is why they had to resign. During my visit last month here, I made it clear to everyone that in this matter no one speaks and let us allow the investigations to complete."