EC's notice to Narendra Modi hasn't rattled the BJP one bit. It has, in fact, helped bridge the divide between the party's leaders and cadre and could also rouse Hindutva passions.
Party leaders feel Modi’s remarks have brought josh to electioneering
BARODA: The Election Commission's (EC's) notice to Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi hasn't rattled the BJP one bit. It has, in fact, helped bridge the divide between the party's leaders and cadre and could also rouse Hindutva passions.
Modi's statement on Sohrabuddin at a public rally had driven a wedge between the central leadership of the BJP and its Gujarat unit and workers. But the EC notice, particularly the wording of it, has virtually gifted an ideological plank to the party.
The Commission said it "prima facie was of the view that references to Sohrabuddin and linking his name to terrorism amounted to indulging in activity that might aggravate existing differences, create mutual hatred and cause tension between communities. Besides, it would involve violation of provisions of the model code of conduct".
Former law minister and BJP's in-charge for Gujarat elections Arun Jaitley is drafting a comprehensive counter, while other party leaders are openly questioning the EC's silence on Congress president Sonia Gandhi's "peddlers of death" remark and the Congress general secretary's "Hindu terrorists".
"Was that not communalism. Why is the EC selective in its approach?" a party leader said. BJP president Rajnath Singh did not want to be drawn into the controversy. But his feelings on the wording of the EC notice were clearly reflected in his articulation on Hindutva and terrorism. He told DNA: "Why link Hindutva with elections. Hindutva is the soul of the Indian culture. It is inclusive, not exclusive. The BJP does not differentiate between believers of different faiths and religions, because the party is inspired by Hindutva.
"Do not confuse our counter to terrorism with Hindutva. A terrorist is a terrorist. Terror cannot be linked with any religion. We will be relentless in our counter to terror. Unfortunately, critics add Hindutva angle even to such serious subjects. Those who see religion first are guarded on terror, because they think it might affect their vote bank. That's communal thinking and it is in the DNA of the Congress."
On Congress leader Digvijay Singh calling it Hindu terrorism, the BJP president shot back, "This is a complete communal approach. It is a result of communal thinking, which has divided the nation and social amity."
The BJP had earlier lodged an official complaint with the EC, claiming the poll panel was selectively targeting Modi-ruled Gujarat and was liberal in its approach against Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh, which is also going to polls.
Gujarat BJP leaders are happy with Modi's stand on Sohrabuddin. They feel it has brought "josh" (vigour) to an otherwise lacklustre electioneering.
“Sonia Gandhi accused us of being a bunch of liars and merchants of death. It was Modi’s reply to her accusations. Modi did not say anything himself but asked the crowd to respond to his queries. It was the public that responded overwhelmingly to Modi's queries. The crowd shouted kill him (Sohrabuddin),” the BJP leader said.
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