"We are in favour of fresh elections in Jharkhand," Prasad said at a press conference in New Delhi [Images]. According to sources the deal between BJP and Soren could not materalize as both were adamant that their own candidate would be chief minister.

The BJP's office bearers met at the party headquarters on Monday afternoon to discuss a number of issues including the future course of action on the Amarnath land transfer issue and the resumption of the Sankalp Rally. "This rally would be resumed after the national executive meet from 12-14 September in Bengaluru [Images]," Prasad said.

While the Sri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti has called for a jail bharo andolan on August 21, BJP president Rajnath Singh and leader of opposition L K Advani [Images] would address a public rally on August 25.

The BJP lambasted the Congress for its inept handling of the Kashmir issue. "When Farooq Abdullah was the chief minister based on the recommendation of the Nitish Sengupta committee report, the Amarnath Shrine Board was constituted through a legislation passed by the Jammu and Kashmir [Images] Vidhan Sabha and was given legal powers to make provisions for convenience of Amarnath pilgrims. The BJP condemns the hoisting of the Pakistani flag at places in Kashmir on Independence Day," Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

The BJP spokesman said that the Congress has completely messed up the situation in the state and a malicious campaign was unleashed against the people of Jammu by the militants that Jammu had resorted to economic blockade of the valley. "This was a total lie and there was no blockade," Prasad said.