Advani discusses Kashmir crisis with PM

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader L K Advani, along with a delegation of Members of Legislative Assembly from Jammu and Kashmir, on Thursday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss the prevailing situation in the valley and demanded that the Centre should intervene to restore normalcy in the state.

The delegation expressed its opposition to the proposed political package for the state which was discussed between the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

"It would be akin to rewarding the separatists and those creating trouble in the state," a BJP leader said.

The delegation included BJP MLAs from the state, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and her counterpart in the Upper House Arun Jaitley. The MLAs and the central leaders of the party also emphasised the need for keeping up the morale of the security forces, including the paramilitary.

The party is opposed to cutting down the strength of the army in the Valley and welcomed the deployment of 20,000 more troops in the state. The prime minister promised to look into their demands and suggestions.

The BJP has also asked the government to hold a discussion on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and has decided to field senior party leader M M Joshi to initiate the debate on behalf of the party.