No need to withdraw AFSPA in J&K: Advani

Opposing the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Jammu and Kashmir, Bharatiya Janata Party leader L K Advani on Saturday said nothing should be done that weakens the armed forces' position. He, however, said there is a case for withdrawal of the Act in Manipur, which could be examined.

"I don't think there is a need to withdraw AFSPA in so far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned. Nothing should be done that weakens the armed forces' position," he told newsmen in Thiruvananthapuram.

Attacking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Advani took strong objection to the position that coalition dharma often came in the way of acting strongly against corruption. "Coalition dharma matters only in matters of policy and not in matters of integrity," he said.

Recalling how the BJP conducted the National Democratic Alliance alliance when it was in power, Advani said they had formed new states without any problems, but had deferred a decision on Telangana as it required a policy consensus among all the partners.

"My party was in favour of Telengana in NDA, when in power. But our allies were not in favour," he said. Advani also lamented that farmer suicides in the last eight years have been remarkably high.

The BJP leader also lashed out at the government for its failure to check inflation, which has made even basic existence difficult. He said suicide by farmers anywhere is unfortunate and urged the polity to rise to the occasion to ensure that they are not driven to take this extreme step.