New Delhi: Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani has termed as a "big mistake" any move to trifurcate Jammu and Kashmir and ruled out restoration of pre-1953 position in the state.

"There are various kinds of elements there including pro-Pakistani and pro- Independence. Trifurcation of J and K will be a big mistake as that will amount to separating the Valley when Pakistan claims it has the support of the people in the Valley," he said.

"We take J and K as one unit and if certain voices are raised in one part, you cannot take advantage of that to lay claim to the whole unit but trifurcation will send a message that we are not confident about our position in the Valley and our concern in confined to Ladakh and Jammu. I think doing this would be a big mistake," Advani said.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at its recent national executive at Kurukshetra had demanded trifurcation of the state.

On the autonomy demand by J and K, the Deputy Prime Minister told RSS mouthpiece 'Panchjanya' that it was not a big deal although he would prefer to use the expression "decentralisation of power" rather than autonomy.

"But if they want restoration of pre-1953 position, then we cannot consider it," he said.

Asked whether he would try to bring separatist groups into the political mainstream in Jammu and Kashmir, Advani said, "If they come, they are welcome but we will make no compromises for this.

"We are of course ready for a dialogue," he added.

PTI