The Bharatiya Janata Party's two-day national executive meeting on December 23-24 will look at safeguarding the interests of the minorities. The party will also take stock of the fallout of its victory in Gujarat, party general secretary Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said on Tuesday.
Naqvi told rediff.com that the party's central office-bearers will meet on December 21 to discuss the political situation and the strategy for the upcoming assembly polls.
"These are crucial issues facing our party and the two meetings will discuss what is to be done," he said adding that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, his deputy Lal Kishenchand Advani and others will attend the meetings.
"As usual, Congress leaders are busy with the malicious propaganda that our party will follow the same electoral strategy in the other states as it did in Gujarat. They should concentrate on protecting their own interests instead of criticising us since we have proved our point," he said.
Naqvi said the meetings will reinforce the BJP's viewpoint that the minorities are secure under their governance. "Narendra Modi has reached out to all the people of Gujarat, including the minorities. That is what our political opponents, especially the Congress, resent," the BJP spokesman said.
"What is more, the National Democratic Alliance government will never make India a theocratic state because it does not aspire to become a version of Pakistan," he said.
On the issue of the NDA functioning as a cohesive unit, Naqvi maintained that sometimes there are disagreements but on the whole there is understanding. Each coalition partner is free to pursue its course as long as it doesn't harm the NDA's overall unity.
"Hindutva is a way of life and the Congress tried to ape it in a softer version for blatant political considerations during the recent polls in Gujarat. The electorate snubbed the Congress for being pseudo-secularist," he said.
He indicated that the ongoing fight against terrorism will also be discussed as party members are concerned about the increasing terrorist attacks.
© 2025