Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

TN in need of nationalist party, says Venkaiah Naidu

By K.V. Prasad

TIRUPUR Sept. 23. The BJP president, M. Venkaiah Naidu, today asked cadres to focus on expanding the party base in Tamil Nadu, which "is in need of a nationalist party".

Addressing the State general council here, he said the people of Tamil Nadu had seen "different combinations" and hence the need for a nationalist party was felt now. "The time is ripe for expansion".

Mr. Naidu, however, did not list any fault in the regional parties in replies to queries from presspersons later, or even refer to the Congress. "Why should I talk of anything negative in other parties. Let me focus on something positive for our party".

But he suggested, at the council meet, that the BJP had gained the stature of a national party with a significant base in the State, to the extent of its support being regarded as vital during the next elections. Claiming a "groundswell of support" for the BJP in the State, he said "none can win without the (backing of) BJP".

Mr. Naidu said "regional parties can have only regional aspirations. We are not against them. But for the good of the entire nation, there must be rule of a party with a national presence.

In a veiled reference to the strained relations between the DMK and the State BJP, he said "we do not want to forgo any party or friend. But, if they have a problem and want to go (quit the alliance), they can. But, we treat all of them (alliance partners) alike".

The BJP was proud of its Hindutva ideology but had not thrust it on other parties during the last four years and this was a testimony to its coalition dharma, Mr. Naidu said.

The State president, C.P. Radhakrishnan, said that in 10 years, the BJP would come to power in Tamil Nadu. He asked the cadres to consolidate the party's position and not to worry about alliances. "They will come on their own".

`Beware SIMI danger'

The general council called upon the State Government to prevent banned extremist organisations from regrouping under new banners. A resolution pointed out that the proscribed Students' Islamic Movement of India was active in the names of Muslim Youth Cultural Forum, Karuna Foundation, Solidarity Student Movement and Truth Voice. They were active in Coimbatore, Vellore, Chennai, Ramanathapuram, Madurai, Tiruchi, Salem and Erode.

The SIMI, suspected to have had a hand in the recent Mumbai blasts, and the banned Al-Umma were lying low for now. The State Government should realise the danger and table a White Paper on the outfits, the BJP said.

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