Free to speak, not against nation: BJP

New Delhi: As it braces for the electoral battles in key states, the BJP on Sunday made it clear that while development will be its main poll plank, “nationalism” will set the tone of party’s campaigning against its rivals.

Launching frontal attack on Congress, the BJP claimed that its opponent has become “quite content” in becoming the tail-ender” of any alliance, while citing examples of states like Bihar, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. BJP president Amit Shah had set the tone on the nationalism issue in his inaugural address on Saturday when he asserted that his party will not tolerate any attack on the nation, not even through anti-national slogans.

Briefing about the political resolution adopted by the BJP national executive, Union minister and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley said Indian Constitution gives freedom of expressing dissent and disagreement, but not the country’s destruction.

BJP silent on regional parties
The BJP remained silent on regional players, who play a dominant role in the poll bound states of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

The nationalism issue has come at the forefront of political debate post JNU row and Hyderabad Univeristy scholar’s suicide, with opposition slamming the ruling BJP of forcing its idea of nationalism. Parliamentary Affairs minister M Venkaiah Naidu had moved the resolution and was seconded by national general secretary Saroj Pandey.When asked whether the row of ‘Bharat mata ki jai’ slogan came up for discussion, Mr Jaitley said the party believes it is an issue over which there should be no debate.