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Political parties slam Geelani rally

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Press Trust of India New Delhi
Political parties today attacked in unison the raising of Pakistan flags and pro-Pakistan slogans at a rally led by Hurriyat leader Ali Shah Geelani and Masarat Aalam Bhat.

BJP described it as the last cry of "frustrated lot".

"Anyone who has any interest in the Indian state is not okay with it and I do believe these are the last cries of the frustrated lot. The matter is anybody who advocates Pakistan is talking about the lost cause," said BJP spokesperson Sanjay Kaul.

BJP leader Hina Bhat said that her party was against the release of Bhat.

"We were really against it but Masarat Alam was released. We were really aware of the repercussions, that this was going to happen," she said.
 

"This is very shocking that the police is standing on the side and they are just taking the Pakistan flag on the road," said Bhat.

Senior Congress leader Manish Tewari termed the raising of Pakistan flag as "outrageous" and demanded dismissal of the state government.

"This is absolutely outrageous. The Governor should immediately dismiss the BJP and PDP because if the flag of Pakistan is going to be raised on the streets of Srinagar, if Pakistan slogans are being chanted, this obviously shows the state government is totally not in control of the law and order situation," the former Union minister said.

Former Congress minister RPN Singh also slammed the JK government for release of the separatist leader.

"In the last six years of the rule of the NC and Congress... We tried to bring normalcy in the Valley and people saw it also.

"But the first step that the BJP and the PDP took was to release the man responsible for all the violence and slogans against India. The flags of Pakistan being hoisted in the Valley...Is this what the BJP and PDP promised the electorate?," asked the former Union minister.

Geeelani today held his first public rally here in five years along with separatist leader Bhat as their supporters waved Pakistani flags and chanted pro-Pakistan slogans.

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First Published: Apr 15 2015 | 9:42 PM IST

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