New Delhi, January 23: Just 48 hours before the BJP’s controversial tiranga yatra is slated to enter Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has broken his silence.
He has called upon all concerned to observe maximum restraint in a sensitive state like Jammu and Kashmir.
Manmohan Singh says the Republic Day is not an occasion to score political points or promote divisive agendas.
PM intervention comes after J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah after consultation with Union home ministry decided that the BJP will not be allowed to go ahead with its proposed flag hoisting programme at Lal chowk on Republic day.
BJP youth wing president who is leading the yatra is to enter the state on the January 24 at Lakhanpur at the J&K border.
Meanwhile BJP is in a fix at a time when it has the government on the mat on the issues like corruption and price rise, there is a view emerging that escalation of tension due to yatra can digress parties campaign against UPA though for on record party seems firming backing the yatra.
With BJP adamant on hoisting the national flag at Lal Chowk on January 26, it remains to be seem how Omar Abdullah handles the situation especially when the separatists are also adamant to foil the tiranga yatra at any cost.
——-Agencies