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BJP rules out any kind of war with Pakistan

The Bharatiya Janata Party today ruled out any imminent conventional or nuclear war between India and Pakistan.

In reply to a question, BJP vice-president K L Sharma said, ''There is no apprehensions about any nuclear or conventional war between India and Pakistan. We know each other well.''

Sharma's attention was drawn to reports that Pakistani scientists had revealed Islamabad's designs to strike Indian targets.

The BJP leader also ruled out any third party mediation to resolve the Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan. The issue could be resolved through talks, he said.

He said there was no change in the BJP's stand on Kashmir, and it would continue to support the all-party resolution adopted by Parliament to get back Pak-Occupied Kashmir. He said the whole of Kashmir was acceded to India in 1947 by the then ruler of Kashmir, Hari Singh.

He said the BJP was also not ready to accept the Line of Control as the permanent border between the two countries. He said all these issues could have been resolved in 1972, while signing the Shimla agreement but India lost the ''golden opportunity.''

Sharma also asserted there was no threat to the Vajpayee government and it would complete its full term. He also maintained that the All India Anna DMK would continue to support the government.

Discounting reports that Jayalalitha would withdraw support to the BJP-led coalition, Sharma said, "I don't think so. She will continue to support the government."

Asked what would be the party's contingency plan if Jayalalitha withdrew support, he said, there is no need to comment. "We don't think she is withdrawing..."

Lashing out at the Opposition parties for talking about forming an alternative government, he said these parties were a divided lot and had no understanding among themselves.

He said these parties were working as outside agents of the Congress, which was why they were asking the Congress to lead them. Sharma also expressed surprise at the manner the Left parties were now singing paeans in support of the Congress, and cautioned them that they would have to face the consequences for supporting the Congress.

UNI

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