Ex-APCC(I) chief hints at joining BJP

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, JAN. 28. The former APCC(I) president, Mr. Kamaluddin Ahmed, dropped broad hints of his intention to join the BJP by stating that he was impressed by the qualitative change in the party's perception of religious minorities in the country.

Mr. Ahmed gave a call to minorities to move politically closer to the BJP to usher in an era in national politics. ``I do not mind joining the party if it becomes necessary to achieve this objective (of moving closer to BJP)'', he said at press conference here on Friday.

The ex-Pradesh Congress(I) chief had recently resigned from the primary membership of the party after informing Mrs. Sonia Gandhi of his decision to retire from electoral politics. Considered a follower of the former Prime Minister, Mr. P. V. Narasimha Rao, having held the portfolio of Food and Civil Supplies in his Cabinet, Mr. Ahmed was elected to the Lok Sabha four times and to the A.P. Assembly twice.

He cited the Chennai Declaration adopted by the BJP's National Council last month as the primary reason for changing his perception about the BJP. In the 50 years of its existence, the BJP had never thought of addressing minorities for their political support. The situation had now changed, he added.

Mr. Ahmed quoted the resolution of the National Council which stated that the BJP would thoroughly review its existing relationship with religious minorities consistent with its resolve to strengthen Indian nationhood, based on a sincere and principled approach of espousing and redressing their issues in a just and non-appeasing manner.

This declaration had come close on the heels of the Prime Minister, Mr. A. B. Vajpayee's statement on Christmas that bigotry and discrimination against religious minorities were alien to India's thinking. It was notable that these statements came amid tensions caused by the hijacking of an Indian Airlines aircraft, he said.

He also felt it was significant that the BJP had emerged as the largest single party in the 1999 elections and had introduced a new culture of alliance. To make the alliance workable, the party had kept away from contentious issues like Ram temple, Article 370 and the common civil code.

The BJP's new perceptions suggested a healthy change in its policy towards the minorities which had to be welcomed by all sections of society.

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Section  : Regional
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