DHARWAD: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president J P Nadda on Tuesday slammed the Congress saying that the party which divided the country for seven decades is now itself divided. Nadda’s stinging remarks came while interacting with intellectuals at BVB Engineering College Auditorium, Vidhya Nagar, in the city.
Highlighting the contrast with the grand old party, Nadda said the BJP is for unity in diversity. “In the 70 years of Congress (rule) there was division, division, division and only division. Divide society as much as you can — north, south, language, caste, creed, religion. The fact is, by dividing and dividing, they themselves are divided now. Te BJP is unity in diversity”, Nadda said.
He said that the BJP respects regional sentiments but, at the same time, national aspiration is always taken into consideration. Sharpening his attacks further, he said the Congress, which was ruling in southern states, has been wiped out now.
“In Tamil Nadu, 60 years back, they (Congress) were uprooted, and till now they haven’t returned in the state. In Kerala, they used to rule, but now they have shrunk there too. In Karnataka, the fight is going on”, Nadda said. “You (Congress) were (in government) in Andhra Pradesh, in Telangana, you ruled both the states and now you have been wiped out from both the states”, he added.
Nadda also said now that after the BJP came to power at the Centre, people outside the country segregate India from Pakistan. “De-hyphenation of India and Pakistan. Whenever any country spoke of India, it used to say ‘India-Pakistan’ together. Today, none of the countries mention Pakistan when it speaks of India. It’s because India moved ahead and Pakistan remained where it was”, he said.
The BJP’s chief is on a two-day visit to Karnataka. This is Nadda’s first visit to the state after the party announced candidates for the Assembly polls. Earlier in the day, he flew down to Hubballi airport, wherein he was welcomed by BJP leaders and karyakartas.
As per the itinerary, released by the BJP, Nadda will visit Sri Siddaroodha Mutt in Srinivas Nagar, Hubballi City, on Wednesday morning. “Then, he will visit Shri Moorusavira Mutt. After this visit, Nadda will proceed to Shiggaon in Haveri district and hold a mega roadshow from Santhe Maidan to Taluk Stadium via Old Bus Stand”, the party said.
“Nadda will also address a huge public meeting at the Shiggaon Taluk Stadium at 12 noon. He will also participate in nomination filing of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai at the Shiggaon taluk office,” the statement added. (ANI)