The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today demanded immediate removal of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, saying his government had “completely collapsed” and he should be replaced by a “more acceptable person” in view of the sudden worsening situation in the state. The demand was made after an urgent meeting of top leaders of the party, a day before the crucial meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security that could possibly decide on a partial withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state.
“The last three months have seen a sudden worsening of the situation in the Kashmir valley. Separatist groups supported from across the border have engineered an environment of violence and terror in the Valley. An unpopular chief minister suffers a complete alienation from his people. It is time he was replaced by a more acceptable person. The central government is completely devoid of any vision on how to deal with the situation,” the party said in a statement soon after the meeting which was attended by senior leaders like L K Advani, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley and S S Ahluwalia.
Accusing the Jammu and Kashmir government of complete failure in handling the stone-pelting incidents in the state, the BJP said, “The myth that these are peaceful protesters out to make a political statement was shattered on the day of the holy festival of Eid. Violent mobs let loose in the Valley, attempting to threaten public property and human life. The government has completely collapsed. It failed to realise that mobs cannot be allowed to congregate in order to foment trouble.”
Soon after the meeting, BJP leaders warned the government that any attempt to dilute the controversial AFSPA would not only demoralise security forces but also strengthen the separatists to demand complete independence from India.
