The BJP has refused to support the UPA Government on the issue of exchange of conclave with Bangladesh. A delegation of top BJP leaders conveyed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday that the accord he has signed with Bangladesh in September 2011 was detrimental to the interests of India.
“We have flagged our concern. The Prime Minister has promised to look into it,” BJP sources said. The BJP delegation comprised veteran lK Advani, President Rajnath Singh and leaders of Opposition Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley.
According to the accord signed between Singh and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina, India needs to give 111 enclaves, spread over about 17,000 acres, to Bangladesh in return of 51 enclaves, spread over about 7,000 acres.
The BJP is opposed to redrawing boundaries under such proposition as it would eventually mean a “loss” of 10,000 acres to India. The RSS is also understood to have played a crucial role in making the BJP oppose the move.
During the meeting BJP leaders also brought to the notice of the Prime Minister the “goof up” made by Defence Minister AK Antony on the issue of killing of five Indian soldiers by Pakistan Army.
The BJP leaders pointed out to the PM that Antony has
“goofed up” in stating that the ambush was carried out by approximately 20 heavily armed terrorists “along with persons dressed in Pakistan Army uniforms”. The Defence Minister was also present in the meeting.
They also pointed out that a Press release from the Defence Ministry had blamed 20 heavily armed terrorists “along with soldiers of Pakistan Army” for the attack. The release, which blamed Pakistan Border Action Team, was subsequently redrafted on the lines of what Antony spoke in Parliament earlier in the day.
The BJP leaders are understood to have asked the Prime Minister why the Defence Minister was going “soft” on Pakistan and why the Government was treating such a sensitive issue in a casual manner. They also sought to know the “compulsions” the Government had while giving a “clean chit” to Pakistan in the killing of five Indian soldiers along the line of Control, the sources said.
The PM has assured the BJP delegation that the Government would make a clarification in Parliament on Thursday.