BJP demands Bill be withdrawn, Left in a bind

The BJP on Friday demanded withdrawal of the J-K Permanent Resident (Disqualification) Bill, 2004, terming it an ‘‘infringement on the fundamental rights of women related to property and status in the state’’.

Accusing the Congress of double standards, party general secretary Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said while on the one hand Congress is opposing the Bill outside the state, on the other it is supporting the issue within the state. ‘‘This is not the first time the Congress has gone against the spirit and values of the Constitution,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, the CPI(M), that backs the goverment, is hoping for a ‘‘compromise formula’’ to save the day. CPI-M leader in J-K Assembly M.Y. Tarigami said from Jammu: ‘‘We understand the spirit behind the Bill which is to protect the right of identity of the people of J-K. But, it should not ‘look’ discriminatory.’’