The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : BJP to enlist support of minorities

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 05, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

BJP to enlist support of minorities

Special Correspondent

National executive meet of BJP Minority Morcha from today

PHOTO : NAGARA GOPAL

To the point: BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy and State party president Bandaru Dattatreya addressing a press conference in Hyderabad on Friday. -

HYDERABAD: The two-day national executive of the BJP Minority Morcha beginning here on Saturday will adopt a “historic resolution” appealing to the minorities to come closer to the party as “ it wants to make a new beginning”.

Stating this at a press conference here on Friday, Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, MP and the national president of the morcha, said the party would make a sincere effort to bring minorities into its fold. “We have chosen Hyderabad because it’s a historic place”, he added.

Former BJP president M. Venkaiah Naidu would inaugurate the meet, while former deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha Najma Heptullah deliver the presidential address. BJP national vice-president Mukthar Abbas Naqvi would be among the main speakers.

Asked how he expected the minorities to come closer to the BJP in the aftermath of the Gujarat riots, he said that State was riot-free since 2002. However, the party was against such incidents and irrespective of where they take place, those responsible should be punished stringently to prevent their recurrence. Replying to a question, Mr. Hussain stated that the party would express its views on providing reservations for Muslims in the political resolution.

At another press conference, BJP national spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said the base of the Congress was shrinking, while that of the party was expanding. The party was poised to form Government in Karnataka, he said. It would fight the next Lok Sabha elections on issues of terrorism, influx of Bangladeshis, internal security, appeasement and inflation.

He said recent loan waiver announced by the Government was an “eye wash” and an attempt to betray farmers.

Asked whether L.K. Advani was not aware of the then External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh was travelling to Kandahar along with terrorists, he said the Cabinet Committee had taken a policy decision to bring back the hostages. But the modalities and procedures were left to the respective departments.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh