J&K ‘nerve centre’ for BJP workers: Jitendra Singh

Describing Jammu and Kashmir as a sensitive “nerve centre” for BJP workers across the country, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said there is no compromise on Jana Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mookerjee’s ideology of nationalism.

Addressing a ‘Jammu Kashmir Sammelan’ in New Delhi, the senior BJP leader from the state said the message should go loud and clear that there is no compromise on Mookerjee’s “ideology of nationalism where the interest and sovereignty of the nation stands higher than any other consideration.”

Mr. Singh, Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office, said J&K is a sensitive “nerve centre” for BJP workers.

He recalled an anecdote when Jawaharlal Nehru had lost temper at Mookerjee’s ideological beliefs and shouted at him saying “Mookerjee, I will crush this mentality”.

Mookerjee had retorted back saying “I shall crush this crushing mentality”, the BJP leader said, adding “This determination and this commitment is precisely what defines our dedication to all that what Mookerjee stood for.”

Justifying BJP’s alliance with PDP in Jammu & Kashmir, Singh said, this was a part of BJP’s democratic obligation towards its voters who had given the party a decisive mandate of 25 seats to assume power.

But since the BJP and PDP are ideologically apart, the party has “agreed to disagree” on ideological issues and concentrate entire time, energy and focus on the larger issue of development, particularly equitable development of all the three regions of the state, he said.

“Justice and fair deal for Jammu should be the foremost priority,” the Minister said.