The Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday flayed Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's remark that it wanted to incite violence in the state by hoisting the national flag at Lal Chowk, saying its aim was to promote national sovereignty and it did not need a certificate from the leader.
"Despite committing a blunder-a-day and making arrogant statements, Omar Abdullah continues to head a government supported by the Congress. He has raised questions on our plan to hoist the national flag at Srinagar but forgotten the sacrifices made by the likes of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said.
He was reacting to a statement made by Abdullah at a press conference in Jammu -- that the BJP wants to set the Valley on fire again and if there were any repercussions, he would hold that party responsible.
Hussain termed Abdullah's comments as 'unfortunate' and said the BJP did not need a certificate from him on the issue of national solidarity.
He also asked the chief minister to change his attitude. Dragging the Congress into the debate, Hussain said since the party was supporting Abdullah's government in the state, it should clarify if it had any objections to Indians hoisting the national flag in Srinagar.
The principal opposition is organising a Rashtriya Ekta Yatra starting from Kolkata on January 12 which will travel through several states and culminate in Srinagar on January 26, with hoisting of the tricolour at Lal Chowk on Republic Day.
Earlier, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley had also slammed Abdullah's comments.
"The BJP maintains that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. We are going to carry the national flag not in one state but through several states. This is part of a campaign for national sovereignty and solidarity," Jaitley said, adding that the yatra was not aimed at inciting violence.
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