Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 04:
National vice president of BJP and party�s North East in-charge and MP Tawarchand Gehlot today dubbed the Congress as a communal party, which is responsible for dividing the country into India and Pakistan.
Addressing a news conference, the BJP leader accused the Congress of playing the communal card for their own vested interest.
"It was Rajiv Gandhi who threw open the door of the Mandir (Ram Janambhumi), though the BJP is being dubbed as communal," Gehlot said.
The BJP leader further alleged that there is difference of opinion within the UPA Government which might cost dearly to its stability.
It is on this account, the Centre has failed to take up any of the developmental works initiated by the NDA Government, he said.
He predicted the Congress led UPA Government will disintegrate by December.
Gehlot also accused the Congress led SPF Government in the State of neglecting the people and not being able to take up any developmental work.
He said BJP would continue to work for the welfare of the people.
Steps would be taken up henceforth to strengthen the position of the party in the State before the next Assembly election for bringing positive changes in the life of the people, he said.
On the agitation demanding the complete withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the State, Gehlot said that the Act should be either removed completely or reviewed thoroughly and asserted that the Act has not served its purpose and should be done away with.
Instead of solving the problems of insurgency, the Act has rather become a cause for mushrooming up of more underground organizations since its imposition in 1960, he said.
Moreover, the Act has emboldened the security personnel in committing all sort of atrocities on the common people, he added.
Gehlot observed that the ongoing mass public protest against AFSPA even to the extend of elderly womenfolk of the State disrobing themselves in front of the gate of Assam Rifles headquarters at Kangla was only a manifestation of the outburst of the pent up emotion of the people of the region.
When the situation has come to such a pass, why should the Congress led UPA Government at the Centre prolonged its imposition in the North East region, he asked.
However, Gehlot pointed out certain reservation in the ongoing public protest for withdrawal of AFSPA with regard to banning learning Hindi language and operation of NCC in the State.