(REOPENS DEL86)

Joining the BJP in criticising J-K Chief Minister's remarks on hanging of Afzal, Shiv Sena made a strong pitch for abroagating special status of the state . "It is very unfortunate if Afzal Guru is being projected as a hero in the Valley. Where have all the funds sent by the Centre for the development of the state gone?....The situation calls for scrapping of the special status of the state," party spokesman Sanjay Raut said. Raut, who is also the Leader of the party in the Rajya Sabha, said that bandh being organised in the Valley to protest against the hanging meant the "failure" of the government to bring the state into national mainstream. Besides, Raut also condemned attempts sometime back to bring a resolution in the J and K Assembly on the issue of Afzal Guru.