The Hindu : BJP a nationalist force: Dattatreya

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 30, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

BJP a nationalist force: Dattatreya

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD Dec. 29. Reacting to some advocates and others professionals joining the BJP at a programme here on Sunday, the Union Minister of State for Railways, Bandaru Dattatreya, said this is the right time to strengthen the party.

The BJP is now not just a political force but a nationalist one, the Minister said while speaking on the occasion. Mr. Dattatreya maintained that the Congress and the Left parties had raised dust on the BJP in the aftermath of the Gujarat polls, criticising the party for promoting divisive elements, which is unfortunate.

The Congress tried to demean the verdict given by the people of Gujarat, who are yet to recover from the shock of the worst-ever earthquake and a carnage which claimed so many lives.

Referring to the statement of the APCC president, M. Satyanarayana Rao, that the Congress should prepare for the second freedom struggle, Mr. Dattatreya asked how the Congress was in a position to do so when it is no longer a nationalist force.

Mr. Dattatreya said the Congress is a communal party, not the BJP, because the party had promoted the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) in the State and the Muslim League in Kerala and now is trying to stop minorities from joining the mainstream.

The BJP State president, C. Ramachandra Reddy, said the BJP can make a steady advance if more and more intellectuals join the party.

The BJP's victory in Gujarat is a honour for the party.

Mr. Reddy announced that the membership drive of the party has been extended up to January 31. Many advocates of the High Court, including representatives of bar associations, and Lakshmi Sharat, a producer of TV serials, joined the BJP. N. Ramchander Rao, State convenor of BJP legal cell, presided.

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BJP a nationalist force: Dattatreya