BJP in search of ideology-based issues

Sandesh Prabhudesai
14 April 2002  

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has decided to identify issues, in tune with its own ideology and the NDA agenda, to focus before the people, as the saffron brigade is going for a country-wide mass contact programme in a big way.

After union home minister L K Advani yesterday appealed to party cadres not to be apologetic about its 'ideology', prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today said the party need to approach and convince people on the basis of its 'ideology', to succeed.

Party president Jana Krishnamurthy however declined to state what will be these issues and whether Hindutva will be part of it. He has set up a sub-committee to identify these issues in a next few days.

Stating that the Chennai declaration, which was adopted in the background of the formation of NDA in 1999, Krishnamurthy said the committee will study both the declaration as well as the agenda to identify these issues.

The BJP chief then also plans to begin nation-wide tour from May for four months, taking up these issues to the people and strengthening the party organisation in all the states.

Identifying Congress as its main opponent who has adopted confrontationist attitude, the saffron party has decided to face the challenge posed by the Congress, through its 'own programme'.

He was however non-committal on whether the party resolution on Gujarat crisis has strengthened its Hindutva ideology at the Goa meet or where does Hindutva stands after going tough against the demand of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi's removal.

"The Hindutva stands where it was", said Krishnamurthy.

Journalists brought to his notice that his party cadres were shouting slogans like 'Jo Hindu Hitt-ki Baat Karega, Wohi Deshpe Raaj Karega' on Modi's arrival in Gujarat, asking whether this would be the slogan of the party henceforth. The BJP chief however brushed aside the question, stating that these are 'mere sentiments'.

"Our party is governed by the NDA agenda and it will adhere to it", he assured.

At the end of the three-day crucial meeting, the BJP has also resolved to firmly deal with the indiscipline in the party. The state units are told to take strict action against any kind of indiscipline, as per the constitutional provisions of the party, said the BJP chief.

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