'Political leaders in J-K will be released if they back peace'

Senior BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain on Tuesday said political leaders under house arrest in Kashmir will be released if they cooperate with the administration for maintaining peace.

Speaking to reporters in the east Maharashtra city before addressing a campaign rally for the party candidate, Hussain pointed out that (post-paid) mobile services have already become operational.

"The government will not entertain anyone who plans to destroy peace in Jammu & Kashmir. The government will set free those leaders who will support the cause of peace in J&K," he said.

Many political leaders were kept under house arrest since the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was withdrawn under Article 370.

Hussain said like Pakistan the Congress was also trying to malign the image of India on the abrogation of Article 370.

On a day the Maharashtra BJP in its manifesto demanded Bharat Ratna honour for late V D Savarkar, Hussain questionned the Congress' opposition to the name of the Hindutva ideologue who had served jail during freedom struggle.

He also took a dig at Congress over defection of its leaders to the ruling camp in Maharashtra.

"The Congress is a sinking ship. Many of its leaders have already jumped out and joined other parties," he said.

The BJP leader said his party ushered in development in Maharashtra unlike the erstwhile Congress-NCP government.