BJP meet: Party calls for reflection on principles
The alleged custodial torture of an RSS worker by state police cast a shadow over the two-day state BJP executive meet which began here on Wednesday, as party leaders stressed on the need to reflect on principles.
The alleged custodial torture of an RSS worker by state police cast a shadow over the two-day state BJP executive meet which began here on Wednesday, as party leaders stressed on the need to reflect on principles.
Invoking Jana Sangh founder Deendayal Upadhyay, in-charge of party affairs in the state, Vinay Sahasrabuddhe underlined the need to stick to principles, especially when in power. The Jana Sangh later led to the forming of BJP.
Sahasrabuddhe recalled how Upadhyay had come to the aid of a poor man victimised by police at Satna railway station in the 1960s, and noted that tantra (power) sometimes overpowered people so much that they forgot about mantra (principles).
He also remembered how Upadhyay took a stand to stick to principles even if the party fell apart.
The inference was immediately drawn over the growing differences between the party and its government led by Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
“What Sahasrabuddhe said amply reflected the scenario in the state between the party and the government. Influenced by power, party leaders at the helm have forgotten the existence of people and party workers as to what are their need and plight, grievances and aspirations,” a party leader said.
Sahasrabuddhe also hailed Upadhyay for “challenging the then most powerful Congress leader Jawaharlal Nehru”, while not treating “leaders of other parties as political enemies”.
“On one occasion, he joined hands with socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohiya to solve issues of national interest,” Sahasrabuddhe said.
State president Nandkumar Singh Chauhan urged office-bearers to spread Upadhayay’s philosophy among party workers during the Sangh founder’s birth centenary year.
He asked party workers to take up at least one social work apart from party work, for the downtrodden section of society.
The meet resolved to work towards realising Upadhayay’s dream of ‘Ekatma Manavwad’ (united humanity).
Chauhan said the party would soon launch a programme under its garib kalyan agenda to celebrate the anniversary. The programme would be launched on November 29, marking the 11 years of chief ministership of Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the state.
However, an error in the political resolution—highlighting 11 years of BJP rule, instead of 12 years—created a controversy as it failed to mention the tenure of Uma Bharti and Babulal Gaur as chief ministers.