BJP turns down Omar's invitation to join R-Day function

"It is a lip service by him (Omar). We do not give credence to it and turn it down," BJYM national president Anurag Thakur told reporters in Kathua district, around 70 kms from here.

"Omar first arrested leaders of the nationalist party and then did not allow the hoisting of national flag at Lal Chowk in Srinagar as if it is not a part of the country. Then he invites us as a state guest for the tricolour hoisting on the Republic Day in the state," Thakur said.

The chief minister had invited BJP leaders to be a state guest at the R-Day functions either in Jammu or Srinagar. Terming it as "unacceptable", Thakur alleged that Omar was muzzling the voice of nationalistic forces and giving moral boost to separatist forces in the Kashmir Valley.

Thakur, along with senior BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, Ananth Kumar and Shanta Kumar, were arrested yesterday on charges of violating prohibitory orders in Lakhanpur border during the Ekta Yatra and were lodged in a hotel after being booked.