Evading direct response to a question on whether the Centre had any plans to revoke the constitutional provisions giving special status to Jammu & Kashmir, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav said on Wednesday the Narendra Modi Government would take necessary steps for the benefit of the State at an appropriate time.
"The BJP's stand on it (repeal of Article 35A of the Constitution) is very clear but it is not the party which is going to decide (on the matter). The decision will be taken by the prime minister and his government, but I can assure you that whatever decision they will take, will be in the interest of the state," Madhav told reporters here.
He said the state's political parties were creating an atmosphere of fear in Kashmir by linking the movement of central armed paramilitary forces with other issues to save their political turf.
"Leaders of local regional parties are creating fear psychosis for their political interests. Moving forces in and out of Kashmir as per the requirement of the security grid is an ongoing process. Extra forces are brought in for Amarnath Yatra or elections, like there is going to be block level elections for panchayat. But linking the movement of forces with other issues is being done for personal interests," he said.
Article 35A of the Constitution gives powers to the state to define the state's permanent residents.
Hitting out at PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, the BJP leader said she was trying to save her "slipping political base" by resorting to provocative statements.
"There is an attempt to create an atmosphere of fear to save the slipping political base of regional parties. We are going ahead with our work in the state, elections are coming...Let them go to the people and talk about elections. Their own leaders are not participating in their party's Foundation Day...Then they talk about bombs and explosives. As the noose around corruption has been tightened, they are doing this drama to save themselves," he said.
Mehbooba, while reacting to speculations that the Centre might repeal Article 35-A, had on July 28 said tinkering with the provision of the Constitution providing special residency and job rights to natives of Jammu & Kashmir would be akin to burning hands with explosives.