Modi goes soft on Kashmir, Advani takes hardline stand
23 Jun 2013 5:39 AM IST
Despite claims of rapprochement between the Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi and his one-time mentor LK Advani, there are few signs of the end of discord between the two leaders. On the day when Modi launched himself as the chairman of the party’s campaign committee and talked about healing wounds of Kashmiris, Advani raked up the old demand of the RSS and Jan Sangh for repealing
Article 370.
Advani in his blog wrote that this would help J&K’s full integration with India. ‘The country eagerly awaits the day when Article 370 would be repealed and the two vidhans (constitution) also would become one,’ wrote Advani. In his blog titled ‘Independent India’s First Martyr for National Integration’, the veteran leader said (Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad) Mookerjee’s death under controversial circumstances triggered a series of developments which significantly promoted the process of national integration.
Two pradhans (heads) became one, and though two nishans (symbols) continue still, the National Tricolour started flying in the state in a superior position, said Advani in the blog, giving credit to Mookerjee for extending the reach of the Supreme Court to the state.
On the other hand, Modi who addressed a rally in Pathankot, invoked former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and said the task he left incomplete would be pursued by the BJP if voted to power. ‘Vajpayee had sought to win over the heart of Kashmir with compassion, love and dialogue...Had he been elected to power in 2004, he would have succeeded in his Kashmir policy,’ said Modi. ‘Kashmiri Pandits would have got justice, youth of J&K would have been employed and the state would have seen development, Modi added.
The Gujarat chief minister further said Kashmiri youths were aspiring for development and progress and they needed to be connected with the national mainstream.
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