Make the ambit of Kashmir talks clear, BJP tells govt

The BJP welcomed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's proposal for dailogue with various political groups in Kashmir but demanded the Centre make clear the "ambit of the talks".

The BJP on Monday welcomed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's proposal for dailogue with various political groups in Kashmir but demanded the Centre make clear the "ambit of the talks".

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"There is a larger political consensus on the issue. But this is an issue directly concerned with sovereignty of the country. The PM says there should be a solution but what is the ambit of that?" senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley told reporters in reply to a question.

He said the BJP was also in favour of a solution to the Kashmir issue and there was also a Parliamentary resolution to this effect but "the question is how it is being dealt with".

"Everybody is in favour of a solution but what is the ambit of the talks?" he asked.

The Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said BJP would wait for the Prime Minister to make his announcements on the issue and then give its reactions.

Singh yesterday said his government would like those political groups in Kashmir, which are not a part of the mainstream to engage in contructive dialogue with the Centre.