Parties welcome Kalam's proposed J&K visit

Political parties on Saturday reacted positively to the impending visit of President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam to Jammu and Kashmir.

Dr Kalam will be visiting the valley, Jammu and monasteries in Leh and Ladakh towards the end of this month.

"It is a good, positive step that the President has taken in deciding to visit J&K at a time when normalcy appears to be returning in the militancy-infested state. I think it will generate much goodwill among the people because it will be boosting the healing touch (policy) of the state government," Bharatiya Janata Party spokesman and general secretary Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh spokesman Ram Madhav, however, declined to say anything, underscoring that President Kalam was entitled to visit any part of the country in his official capacity.

The Muslim League Lok Sabha member G M Banatwala contended that while Dr Kalam's proposed J&K visit was a positive sign, its fallout had to be awaited.

Bahujan Samaj Party Lok Sabha member from the Saharanpur Mansoor Ali Khan described the presidential visit as a 'bold and courageous step'.

"The state has got back some semblance of law and order and it is just as well that the country's first citizen is making a timely visit. I think the people of J&K will appreciate it, given the fact that the President is well known for reaching out to every section of society," he said.

Panun Kashmir spokesman and national general secretary Yuvraj Raina welcomed the presidential visit. "We look forward to it because it is a very symbolic gesture," he said.

"We have heard that Dr Kalam would be interacting with various people in our state. We also hope that he would spare some time to visit the refugee camps in Jammu of displaced Kashmiri Pandits," he said.