Senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu came down heavily on the Congress for its minority appeasement policies. Addressing a Press conference in Bangalore on Monday, the BJP leader urged the BJP-ruled States to ‘throw Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde’s memo to the States that no innocent Muslim youth is wrongfully detained in the name of terror” to dustbin.
Asking Shinde whether he was the Home Minister for the country or for one community, Venkaiah said, “It is irresponsible, idiotic approach of the Government of India.” This trend (appeasement of minorities) set by the Congress was destroying the social ethos he added.
He said, “For over five decades, the Congress, which has been playing vote-bank politics through appeasement of minorities, needs to change its position on minorities. We need equal treatment for people of all the religion. The Congress has been playing divisive politics by dividing religions. It is dangerous in democracy.” Blaming the Congress for the mess in Andhra Pradesh, he said “The Congress created the confusion in AP for political gain”.
“The Congress is treating Telangana as party’s internal affairs. The Congress is dealing with it in an irresponsible and casual manner. The BJP is committed to the welfare of Telangana and Seema-andhra people. We insist on addressing genuine concerns of the people of Andhra Pradesh,” he added.
Venkaiah also said, “Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh has been making statements without any authority. It is adding fuel to fire. The Congress should keep its house in order and convince its Chief Minister and Ministers first.”
As part of the election strategy, the Karnataka BJP has announced Narendra Modi would address a maha-rally in Bangalore on November 16. Modi is also expected to address few more rallies in a span of one month.
Meanwhile, a BJP source told The Pioneer that party was working-out a strategy to bring former Chief Minister and KJP chief BS Yeddyurappa back to the party fold at the Maha-rally. He said, “The issue of Yeddyurappa is coming for discussion on Tuesday at Mumbai meeting. Even Anantha Kumar group has no objection now. If everything goes well Yeddyurappa will be back to the party on Modi’s rally. RSS also cleared it.”Meanwhile a close aide of Yeddyurappa said that Yeddyurappa may be willing to go back to the BJP but may not merge his party immediately.