PM hits out at Kashmiri separatist’s release, PDP-BJP alliance under strain

The controversial release of Hurriyat hardliner and militant sympathizer Masarat Alam has put the BJP-PDP coalition in Jammu and Kashmir under severe strain, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi making it clear that the decision was taken “without consulting coalition partner or with central government.”

Replying to the opposition in Parliament on the release of Masarat Alam, Mr Modi said: “Whatever action is being taken in J&K is being taken without consulting coalition partner or with central government.” He, however, assured the Lok Sabha that national security and safety will not be compromised.

“Do not teach us patriotism,” Mr Modi told the opposition on March 9.

The People”s Democratic Party, however, remained defiant over its government”s headline-grabbing decision to release Kashmiri separatist Alam. “What PM Modi has said is the stand of the government,” PDP spokesperson Firdous Tak said. “But there is no illegality in the release of Masarat Alam. He has been released on bail in all the cases,” he added.

“Reconciliation is part of any alliance. There is no threat to it,” Mr Tak said when asked if the issue threatens the PDP-BJP coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir.

Masarat Alam was released from the prison after four years on March 7 as a result of an order issued by Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to release suspects who have not been charged with any offence yet. The coalition of PDP-BJP has recently assumed power in Jammu and Kashmir.

Masrat Alam is widely held responsible for anti-India protests in the Valley in 2010, which led to the death of 112 people. He is also accused of waging a subversive war against India.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh online casino on March 9 has said in the parliament that the Centre had sought report from the Jammu & Kashmir government on the controversial decision of releasing the separatist leader. “We will ensure strong advisory is sent out to the state government if the clarification isn”t satisfactory,” Singh said.

Rajnath Singh admitted to ideological differences between the PDP and the BJP, which has come out in the open after the shimmering controversy over Alam’s release. “There is no doubt that there are ideological differences between BJP and PDP. We have never had any relationship with the PDP in the past. They are with us only for 10 days. Whatever influence is there, it must be yours on them. You had been with them in power in past..,” he told the opposition.

The home minister also asserted that Jammu and Kashmir was, is and will be an integral part of the country. “No one howsoever powerful will be allowed to play with the security, unity and integrity of India. We are ready to give any sacrifice that is required.” There is “no question of any compromise with a traitor,” he stressed.

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