Omar’s NOC not needed to hoist flag at Lal Chowk: BJP

Abdullah should focus on ensuring that Pakistani flags are not unfurled in the state,Hussain said.

Asserting that it does not require a no objection certificate from the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister to hoist the national flag at Lal Chowk in Srinagar,BJP on Wednesday said it would be better if Omar Abdullah welcomes the Ekta Yatra when it reaches the state.

“We don’t need a no objection certificate from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country…in fact it would be nice if the CM welcomes the Ekta Yatra. It is his responsibility (to welcome). He is an elected representative,” BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain told reporters here.

Instead of making statements on BJP youth wing’s plans to hoist the tricolour in the Valley,Abdullah should focus on ensuring that Pakistani flags are not unfurled in the state,he said.

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“The CM should let Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and JKLF chief Yasin Malik make statements on the issue and focus on ensuring that Pakistani flags are no waived in Jammu and Kashmir,” Hussain said.

He said since Congress is a partner in the Jammu and Kashmir ruling coalition,Home Minister P Chidambaram should impress upon Abdullah not to oppose the Ekta Yatra and instead help the party’s youth wing hoist the national flag at Lal Chowk.

The BJP spokesperson also rejected contentions that hoisting the national flag at Lal Chowk would create tension in the Valley. “We do not agree with the assessment…people of Jammu and Kashmir love the Indian tricolour and our plan will not create trouble,” Hussain said.

Meanwhile,BJP Yuva Morcha President Anurag Thakur asked the Prime Minister to explain why government was planning an allowance for militants who had surrendered but had no money for the special police officers fighting terrorists in the state.

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