Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan slammed the BJP for toppling the PDP-led coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir and termed the move as `political opportunism'by the saffron outfit.
Questioning the timing of the decision, Khan said, "Why did the BJP not withdraw support to the coalition when solders of Indian Army and Para-military forces were dying on the line of control with Pakistan or dying in encounters with terrorists."
"The BJP enjoyed the fruits of power in Jammu and Kashmir for the over three years and they decided to walk out of the coalition as the 2019 lok Sabha polls are approaching. They are trying to craft a new political narrative with the ultimate objective of creating communal polarisation ahead of the elections," commented the SP leader in Rampur on Wednesday.
Accusing the BJP of attempting to spread confusion ahead of the lok Sabha poll, Khan said, "It has been the standard practice of the BJP to spread confusion among the people to escape from accountability for its inability to control cross-border terror.’’
He said that the BJP would now create frenzy over patriotism and nationalism ahead of lok Sabha elections to cover up for its failures.
The SP leader said with the exit of the democratically elected government and imposition of Presidents Rule, overall security in Kashmir valley was likely to further deteriorate as the BJP government at the Centre would hold the reins of power in the border state.
When asked about stone pelting incidents in Srinagar and other places in Kashmir valley, Khan leader said that it was the duty of the PDP-BJP coalition to find a political solution of the problem and bring the Kashmiris to the negotiating table.
Khan said that the PDP-BJP lacked political acumen to address the issue leading to deterioration of the situation in the valley and sharp rise in deaths of civilians and security forces.
On Army Chief Bipin Rawat visiting the residence of martyred soldier Aurangzeb, Khan said,"It was totally a political visit of the Army Chief. I want to question why the Army Chief or any officer did not visit the residence of other martyrs in the country. This is an insult of the martyrs.”