BJP-PDP engaged in sparring over Masarat's arrest

But rejecting that the arrest was the outcome of the Jammu and Kashmir Government bowing to centre's pressure the People's Democratic Party called the police action a procedural decision.

Alam, a hardliner of the Hurriyat Conference, has been arrested under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act after he waved Pakistan flags to greet Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Wednesday in Srinagar.

Reacting to the development  Union Minister of State for PMO Jitendra Singh said, "Our stand has always been consistent on terrorism, separatism. We formed coalition in J&K for sake of governance. Therefore, nobody should go away this impression that we will compromise on our principles for the sake of staying in the government."

The development came after the BJP threatened to skip the next Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet meeting if Alam was not arrested.

, BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said, "We are not surprised by the arrest. The Centre had made its stand very clear. The NDA government had said that there will be no compromise on national security. The arrest was imminent. Waving Pakistani flags was wrong."

His party colleague Sambit Patra said, "We welcome the arrest of separatist leader Masarat Alam. PDP-BJP' common minimum government does not speak of separatists. PDP and BJP do have different ideologies and view points. There are certain discrepancies, but need to focus on common agenda."

However,  PDP  spokesperson Waheed Para said, "The action has not been taken due to any pressure. The government has acted as per the procedure. There should be no sensationalism in this. It is being shown that the J&K Police does no work by itself but acts only under pressure from the home ministry."

He said  separatists are also Indians and cannot be treated as Pakistanis.

"Even separatists are citizens of this country. They may have a different ideology but we how can they be considered as Pakistanis. You can't fight them as enemies."

Para said that PDP has come to power with the people's mandate which should be respected and not continuously questioned.

"The government is fighting for space and survival. Have some faith in the authorities and support our initiatives," he said.

Geelani, another prominent separatist leader, still remains under house arrest. Both the Hurriyat hardliners were slated to hold a rally in Tral.