Scrap joint mechanism on terror, says BJP

Opposing the proposed Indo-Pak joint mechanism to curb terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and restart of dialogue with Pakistan, BJP today demanded a review of the national security policy of the UPA government.

"By agreeing to evolve a joint mechanism to curb terrorism in the Valley, we fell into the trap of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and absolved him of encouraging cross-border terrorism," BJP Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu said.

"The proposed talks between India and Pakistan are against national interest and compromise our position on Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

Accusing the Congress and UPA government of double-speak, Naidu said, "Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who accused Pakistan of abetting terrorism after the Mumbai blasts, has now changed his tune by saying that Pakistan was also a victim of terrorism."

"On the other hand, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee yesterday dubbed Pakistan as a nursery of global terrorism," he said. "Such contrasting statements by two senior leaders show lack of clarity and political will to address concerns of national security," he said and demanded that India's security policy be reviewed.

"We will mobilise public opinion on talks with Pakistan and the recent agreement for a joint mechanism to mount pressure on UPA government to adopt a tough stand on national security," he said.