BANGALORE, Jan 30: Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Murali Manohar Joshi said today that Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) was active in southern states and was trying to foment trouble during the Lok Sabha elections. The ISI network had already spread its tentacles in the south and immediate steps had to be taken to ensure that the elections were not disturbed, he told a press conference today.Joshi wanted Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah to admit responsibility for the death of 23 Pundits and resign. ``In fact, the weakness of the Gujral doctrine has been demonstrated by this incident,'' he said, adding that Pakistan-aided militants were behind the genocide.pHe observed that the United Front (UF) government's weak-kneed policy towards such elements had resulted in the flaring-up of militants in Jammu and Kashmir. ``All his promises of protecting the life and honour of patriotic citizens have been proved hollow,'' he commented.
Reacting to the recentcontroversy over the pay-scales in the Indian Air Force, Joshi said, ``The controversy between the defence personnel and bureaucrats has resulted in the sagging morale of personnel in the defence forces''.
He urged the Centre to appoint a separate pay commission for defence personnel as it was necessary to create better service conditions for soldiers. ``All over the country, it is a practice to have a separate commission for defence personnel''.
If the party came to power, it would take ``corrective steps'' in the liberalization policy to ensure that the country's economic sovereignty was maintained and its voice heard in the international fora, Joshi said.
Joshi alleged that the UF policies had resulted in the de-industrialization of the country.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
