New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today (Oct 26, 2004) dismissed Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's fresh proposal to solve the Kashmir problem, saying any suggestion for the transfer of sovereignty or territory was "totally unacceptable".

Party's senior leader and former External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh, who shared a good rapport with his American counterparts, also went hammer and tongs against Washington on issues ranging from sanctions to Iraq and criticised the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government for "rushing into" concluding the first phase of the 'Next Step in Strategic Partnership' (NSSP) with the USA.

"We are intrigued by the continued silence of the Congress party and the Government on Musharraf's statement. The BJP and NDA (National Democratic Alliance) have consistently held that map making has to stop in South Asia. It would not be acceptable in any disguise it might appear and present itself", he told reporters in New Delhi.

He said for the BJP "nothing is acceptable that overrides the will of Parliament. Any suggestion for transfer of sovereignty or transfer of territory is a non-starter. We cannot accept a third party".

Singh said while the party was in favour of improving Indo-Pak ties and resolution of all outstanding issues including Jammu and Kashmir, "such suggestions on transfer of sovereignty would not take the talks forward".

He also asked the Government to clarify "the hurry in which it signed the NSSP document when negotiations are yet to be completed and about 100 sanctions (US imposed against India in the wake of Pokhran tests) remain in place".