Dialogue in J&K should be held only if violence stops: BJP

Maintaining that it was opposed to demand for autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP today said dialogue with any group should be held within the constitutional framework only if they abjure violence.

"We are opposed to any demand for autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir and want that dialogue with any group should be held within the Constitutional framework by abjuring violence," BJP chief spokesperson Ravishankar Prasad told reporters in New Delhi.

Speaking about his party's stand at the all-party meeting held today at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's residence to discuss the situation in Kashmir, Prasad said the BJP would support any such dialogue.

On the vexed issue of withdrawal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), he said, "The security forces, including armed forces have done very good work in the region in ensuring security against terrorists and separatists and no decision should be taken which has the effect of demoralising the security forces."

BJP chief Nitin Gadkari, chairman of BJP parliamentary party LK Advani, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley were part of the all-party meet.

Prasad said "certain elements" within the Pakistan government "had a big hand in the cross-border terrorism that Jammu and Kashmir was facing."

The BJP also said in the all-party meet that the government should take into confidence the people of Ladakh and Jammu prior to taking any decision on Jammu and Kashmir.

He said if an all-party delegation visits Kashmir, as suggested by home minister P Chidambaram during the crucial meeting today, then BJP would be part of it.

To a question if the BJP had raised the demand of resignation of Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah in the meeting, Prasad said the party has already made a public demand for this and there was no need to raise it again today.

Asked if the BJP was the only party in the meeting that sought no dilution in the AFSPA, Prasad said he was not in a position to comment on behalf of other parties, but the BJP's stand on the issue was unwavering.

On whether he would rate the all party meeting as a success or failure, Prasad said the BJP was still to hear a final word from the government.