BJP must rework its axis with Muslims — Bangaru Lakshman

Emphasising the need for reworking the relationship between the party and Muslims in the country, he said "the party has not made sustained efforts to reach out to Indian Muslims in a bid to weaken the influence on their minds of the sustained negative propaganda of our adversaries."

Lakshman said, "We have somehow taken it for granted that our party will not receive any significant support from them. This preconceived approach has not helped our party either. We cannot afford to allow this situation to continue. If we do so, we shall be hurting our own future prospects and Muslims will continue to be used as vote banks by our adversaries."

The BJP leader said in keeping with the Chennai Declaration, the party need to thoroughly review its existing relationship with minorities consistent with its resolve to strengthen Indian nationhood.

Apparently referring to criticism of the handling of the Kashmir issue by former Union minister Sushma Swaraj and Minister of State for Civil Aviation Chaman Lal Gupta, Laxman said the situation was "delicate and complex", and the party may be required to debate and decide its position on several issues that may constitute the basis of talks between the Government and Kashmir-based groups.

Asserting that indiscipline would not be tolerated and should be nipped in the bud, he called for vigilance against the "malaise of indiscipline and defiance of the party’s collective decisions by individuals and groups."

The BJP leader presented a ten-point agenda for social justice as he felt that "time has come to take a bold step and define both the economic structure as well as the political structure of society by the law of the Constitution."

Among the main features of this agenda are continuance of reservations, effective enforcement of laws to curb social injustice, economic reforms as a guarantor of social justice, raising of literacy to the national average and imposition of obligations on the private sector.

He stressed the need to increase focus on social reform "as a Dalit who is the victim of the practice of untouchability and social discrimination cannot wholeheartedly sing the glory of Bharat Mata."

On Government and party relationship, he cautioned party cadres not to follow the methods of Congress workers when that party was the ruling party by adopting the line that "they have a right to be personally benefited."

Lakshman said there was a serious need to look towards expanding the party’s base "as our gains seem to have reached a plateau."

He said there was need to work hard in the coming three years as the party was going through a generational transition.

The BJP leader said, "We have to make a special effort to eliminate the hiatus…between our party and minority communities. Our party should be a true reflection of the social, regional, linguistic and religious diversity of our country. No section in our society should feel excluded or alienated from the party."

He said "BJP should become Bharat in microcosm."

Lakshman said there was need to pay greater attention to international issues than before and the "international affairs cell in our party must forge greater links with foreign policy experts and organisations. Time has also come to establish fraternal ties with political parties and organisations around the world. In this endeavour, we need to strengthen further the role of overseas friends of the BJP in different parts of the world."