BJP workers killed for their ideology, says PM

New Delhi/Varanasi: While admitting that politics is about perception, Mr Modi lamented that a wrong impression had been created about his party through lies and wrong logic.

“Because of this wrong awful perception, people do not like standing with us. But those creating bad and wrong perception can be defeated with the help of transparency and hard work. This is the strategy to trounce it,” he said.

Mr Modi also talked about the dangers faced by the BJP in the form of “political untouchability” and political violence.

“Take the cases of Kerala or Kashmir, Bengal or Tripura… (These cases) will not come in the media. Some people have selective sensitivity. Hundreds of workers have been killed only for political ideology. In Tripura workers were hanged, in Bengal murders are still on, in Kerala too... Perhaps in India only one political party has faced such killings. Violence has been given legitimacy. This is a danger before us… Babasaheb Bhimrao (Ambedkar) and (Mahatma) Gandhi had shunned untouchability but, unfortunately, political untouchability is rising... BJP workers were murdered,” he said.

Mr Modi’s remarks assumed significance in the light of the murder of the BJP leader in Amethi in the first post-poll violence in Uttar Pradesh.

Mr Modi said that despite such hatred, BJP’s mantra remains “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” and unlike others his party has not come under the pressure of vote bank politics that has “spoiled” democracy. Stressing on the significance of Opposition in democracy, he said, “When others come to power, there is no sign of Opposition.”

He cited the example of Tripura where there was no Opposition during the decades of Left rule but “now that we are in government there is a ‘jaandar and shandar vipaksh’. This is the spirit of democracy.”

He said that the hat trick of victories in 2014, 2017 and 2019 in Uttar Pradesh is no mean achievement for the BJP. “Work and workers create wonders,” Mr Modi said, giving full credit for his victory to workers at the grassroots level for creating awareness about his government’s policies and programmes for the people.

Thanking Uttar Pradesh for showing the way for India and strengthening the foundation of healthy democracy, the Prime Minister-elect also spoke about his Kedarnath visit. “Since the people of Kashi had ordered me not to come here for a month after filing my nomination papers, I thought if not Baba in Kashi then (baba) elsewhere,” he said, adding perhaps no other candidate is as satisfied or contended as he was (before the results are announced) and that reason was the confidence of Kashivasis.

Stressing on coordination between the government and party organisation, Mr Modi said perfect synergy between the government and party was a big power and the BJP has realised it.