Rajnath's remark on quota for converted Christians untimely: BJP leaders

Vijay Deo Jha Ranchi July 22, 2008

Giving a twist to politics of reservation BJP president Rajnath Singh's recent statement that his party was opposed to quota for converted tribal Christians and if NDA is voted to power at the Centre it would pass a legislation to do away with the provision has created ruckus among strategy makers and think tanks of the Jharkhand BJP. Bearing in mind the BJP's known stand on Hindutva Rajnath's statement is no revelation but it gains significance as party sources term it 'untimely' especially coming from a leader of his stature. Singh is stated to have said this at a Press conference during his stay in the State capital last Sunday.The sources added Singh should have better taken care of the fact that a large numbers of converted tribal Christians support the party in elections and were are massive presences of leaders belonging to tribal Christian groups in the party.What Singh said on converted Christians vis-a-vis reservation is diametrically opposite to what Lal Krishna Advani opined in Kerala. He is learnt to have said Christianity needed to be preserved and promoted in a true spirit that promoted Left parties of Kerala to dub it as a new found love of Advani to woo Christian community in a bid to expand its base in South. Contradictory stands adopted by two senior party leaders - one prime ministerial candidate and other national party president - provide ample clues that the party is still divided on such sensitive and vital issues which had once provided a launching pad to the party in the cow belt. In Jharkhand, particularly, the BJP is in a fix since the statement might boomerang affecting winability of the party in more than a dozen Assembly constituencies as well parliamentary seats. The State BJP is yet to decide whether to shine off the issue or not. A senior party leader and former MP on the condition of anonymity said, "The party should take care of the local aspects and it is better advised to stay away from including it in party manifesto." The BJP, which has made an obvious lead over the UPA courtesy soaring prices and repeated defeat of Congress in several Assembly elections, does not want to allow the latter to overshadow the party politically. Sources said such statements could have been timely and appropriate had it been given by a senior State party leader who is well versed with the political contours of Jharkhand. At least the party should avoid giving any official version since the matter was pending in the court, said a senior party leader. RSS, BJP give statewide bandh call on Amarnath land row Ranchi: Extending support to RSS-called statewide bandh scheduled on Wednesday against the alleged discrimination against Amarnath pilgrims by Jammu & Kashmir Government and SASB Act, BJP president Pasupati Nath Singh said the party would draw the attention of the nation towards the dual policy of the UPA Government against Hindus. To make the five-hour bandh a success the BJP has asked its party workers to ensure their presence felt. The Jharkhand bandh is a part of the national strike on this issue, State unit of the RSS was communicated by Jhandewalan, RSS head office, New Delhi. While blaming UPA playing a communal card to appease minorities RSS State in-charge Deopujari said every Indian had an equal right in J&K and that could not be compromised.