Mumbai: The Shiv Sena has lauded Union home minister, Amit Shah saying he should take strong measures to solve the Kashmir issue. If his agenda is to make a Hindu chief minister in Jammu and Kashmir and bring back Kashmiri Pandits to their homeland, then it is in nation’s interest, said the party.

In its party mouthpiece, Saamana’s editorial on Thursday, the party said, “Shah’s ideology is well known. He went to Mamta Banerjee’s West Bengal and gave the slogan ‘Jai Shri Ram.’ He now wants to carry out delimitation of Assembly segments in Jammu and Kashmir. Under his leadership, it will not be considered a surprise if the geography of Assembly segments in Kashmir or even the geography of Kashmir changes.”

After taking over the reins as a home minister, Mr Shah’s agenda is clear and he is taking steps in that direction. He has taken up the Kashmir issue with an aim of creating peace permanently. In addition to this, there is also a need to send a strong message to Pakistan and separatists, the party said.

“The local parties in Kashmir have been opposing the delimitation of Assembly segments since 2002 expressing fear that it will create outrage in local people. The home ministers in Congress governments bowed to their pressure. However, the scene has now changed, as Mr Shah has given priority to the Kashmir issue. The government will not waste time in meaningless discussions. It will take a decision and implement it strongly,” said Sena.

Despite Jammu region, which has a Hindu majority, being geographically bigger than Muslim dominated Kashmir, most of the MLAs are selected from Kashmir only. It must have been done to appease Muslims and to  ensure that no Hindu chief minister is appointed, the editorial said.