Say no to talks with Pakistan: BJP
As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asserted the dialogue with Pakistan would continue in spite of militant attacks, the BJP said the UPA government should cancel bilateral talks with that country following the terror attacks.
As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asserted the dialogue with Pakistan would continue in spite of militant attacks, the BJP said the UPA government should cancel bilateral talks with that country following the terror attacks.
As BJP prime minister Narendra Modi opened his Tiruchi rally condemning the attacks on Thursday with a two-minute silence, BJP president Rajnath Singh said "The terrorists have attacked India almost at will. The PM is in a hurry to start dialogue with Pakistan. There should be no talks with Pakistan unless there is a conducive environment."
Singh said Thursday's attacks have been carried out by anti-India forces operating from Pakistan."Pursuing a spineless diplomacy at this juncture will present India as a 'soft state' which could be pushed around by any big or small country. The Prime Minister and the UPA government seems to be in a hurry to initiate dialogue with Pakistan. It also gives an impression as if he is motivated by certain conservative political motive instead of safeguarding our national interest. The BJP believes that there should be no talks with Pakistan unless the environment is conducive for dialogue," he said.
The BJP president, said contrary to the Prime Minister's belief, there are no signs of improvement on the ground in Pakistan as the ISI and Pakistan army continues to play its active role in destabilising India's internal and external security.
Ex-external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha described the Pakistani government as "crippled", saying that "some people say this has happened because the terrorists want to derail talks. My point is who are these terrorists and who are behind these terrorists? These attacks always happen with the backing of the Pakistan Army."
Sinha added, "What is the point in talking to a government which is so crippled? Therefore, I say call off the bilateral talks." Another BJP leader, Venkaih Naidu said "The BJP feels prime minister should give up his proposed meeting with Pakistani prime minister to convey to Pakistan and also the international community that terror and talks cannot go together."
Opposition leader Sushma Swaraj tweeted, “Mr Prime Minister - No dialogue over dead bodies. Pl cancel your meeting with Nawaz Sharif.”