BJP compares PM with Mughal rulers

The BJP says PM's reported remarks that the first right on India's resources belonged to minorities are 'objectionable and most condemnable'.

The BJP on Friday sought to compare Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with Mughal rulers for his reported remarks that the first right on the nation's resources belonged to the minority communities.

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"The statement is objectionable and most condemnable. By saying this, the Prime Minister is behaving like Mughal rulers," party leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra said at a press conference in New Delhi.

"Although it was expunged from the House proceedings today, I would like to repeat the comparison here once again," he said.

Malhotra said of the 36 crore people living Below Poverty Line (BPL), 30 crore are from the Hindu community and only 6 crore are from the Muslims.

"Although there should not be any discrimination against the Muslims, discrimination towards the Hindus in the country is highly unfortunate," he said.

The saffron party also opposed scholarship to Muslim students saying merit and need should be the only criteria for scholarships.

The BJP also held Congress responsible for the plight of the Muslims in the country saying "of 61 years of independence, 50 years have been of Congress rule and of it 45 years had been by one single family. One can infer who is responsible for the minorities' plight".

Malhotra alleged that the policy followed by the Manmohan Singh government was that of "perverted secularism."