The Hindu : Congress committed to secularism: Azad

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 14, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Congress committed to secularism: Azad

By Our Staff Reporter

NELLORE, FEB. 13. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary and in-charge of Andhra Pradesh affairs, Ghulam Nabi Azad, has charged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with attempting to disintegrate the country and asserted that the Congress was fully committed to the spirit of secularism and discipline.

Addressing a minority conference at the Kasturi Devi School here on Friday, he said after the Gujarat carnage, the BJP had no moral right to seek votes.

It there was any political party in the country, which brought about unity and integrity in the country, it was the Congress, he said.

Launching a scathing attack on the BJP/TDP, he said both the parties were not separate adding that the BJP-led Central Government would collapse the moment the TDP withdraws support to the coalition.

He criticised the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, for claiming that he was extending monetary assistance for construction/renovation of mosques and at the same time supporting the BJP's anti-secular policies.

Stating that Muslims played a dominant role in the freedom struggle, Mr. Azad reminded that the resolution on `Quit India' was passed by the AICC in 1942, when Moulana Azad, presided over the party.

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