The Hindu : New Delhi News : BJP to focus on BSP’s performance

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Sunday, Jan 06, 2008
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BJP to focus on BSP’s performance

Special Correspondent

Party’s bid to regain political base in Uttar Pradesh before Lok Sabha polls

LUCKNOW: The Bharatiya Janata Party will focus on the performance of the Bahujan Samaj Party government and the growing terrorist attacks in Uttar Pradesh to regain its political base in the State before next year’s Lok Sabha elections.

Arun Jaitley, BJP general secretary and in-charge for U.P. affairs, who attended a meeting of party office-bearers and representatives from the district here on Saturday admitted that occupying the Opposition political space in Uttar Pradesh was the biggest challenge before the party.

The BJP hoped to capitalise on the strains visible in the “unnatural alliance” forged between Dalits and Brahmins by the BSP, Mr. Jaitley told a news conference here. He said in the May 2007 U.P. Assembly polls, it was the people’s anger against the Samajwadi Party government which catapulted the BSP to power, but now the unnatural alliance was showing signs of breaking up. Mr. Jaitley added the people were losing faith in the Mayawati government.

However, Mr. Jaitley glossed over the BJP’s performance in the Ballia parliamentary by-poll where its candidate lost his deposit. He said in a polarised election, the electorate generally voted for the first two parties, the other players get squeezed out. Stating that Uttar Pradesh has become the centre of terrorist activities, Mr. Jaitley accused the BSP Government, as well as the UPA Government at the Centre, of being soft on terror. Even the administrative structure was soft on terrorism as the intelligence reports were not taken seriously considering that law and order is a State subject.

He charged the State and Central governments with pursuing vote bank politics. Mr. Jaitley said as was evident in Malegaon, Mumbai and now Rampur vote bank politics deterred investigations in terrorist attacks. He said the ultras get logistical support from their local contacts and alleged that the terrorists were allowed to escape. Mr. Jaitley said the BJP was the only party which had spoken against the terror threat.

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