Srinagar: Softening its stand on the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, BJP today said that if voted to power, the party will create an atmosphere where such a "stringent" law would not be required.

"Our understanding is that if BJP comes to power in the state, there would not been any need of such a law (AFSPA). We will create such an atmosphere where there would be no fear and everything will move forward peacefully and there would be no need of a stringent law," BJP leader and state-party in charge Ramesh Arora said.