BJP calls for nationwide strike on July 3

The BJP has called for a countrywide strike on July 3 to protest against the Jammu and Kashmir Government’s decision to revoke its order...

The BJP has called for a countrywide strike on July 3 to protest against the Jammu and Kashmir Government’s decision to revoke its order to transfer 40 acres of land to the Amarnath Shrine Board.

“‘By revoking the allotment of land, the Congress has demonstrated that it is one with the fundamentalists in creating a theocratic environment in the Kashmir. The BJP calls for a nationwide strike on July 3 to protest against this monstrous act,” said the party in a statement.

Briefing the press after the party office-bearers’ meeting, BJP president Rajnath Singh claimed that the J-K Government’s action was being guided “by the UPA Government”.

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Earlier, party’s prime ministerial candidate L K Advani said that the BJP would use the land transfer issue in addition to the Ram Sethu controversy and Afzal row to pin the Congress on the secularism debate.

The July 3 strike would be followed by a week-long “jan jagran abhiyan” (awareness campaign).

When reminded that the party’s move would give a new lease of life to the separatists, thus severely harming the interests of the state, a senior BJP leader said: “That is one part of the story. But as a political party we must also tap the popular discontent against the state Government’s move.” Around 20 office-bearers were present for the meeting that lasted over an hour. Advani and general secretaries Ananth Kumar and Gopinath Munde were not present for the meeting.