BJP will raise Sonia8217;s foreign origin

VADODARA, Aug 9: Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin would probably be one of the key issues in the poll campaign of the Bharatiya Janata Party...

VADODARA, Aug 9: Sonia Gandhi8217;s foreign origin would probably be one of the key issues in the poll campaign of the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP in Gujarat, said party spokesman Bharat Pandya on Monday.

Pandya was here in connection with 8220;speakers training programme8221; for the Central Gujarat party workers.

Pandya said in the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel where in the pre-independence period, the Congress came out with slogans against the foreigners, it is the very Congress which is bringing a foreigner. 8220;In Gujarat, this issue is likely to be of key significance,8221; he further said.He said Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee would visit Gujarat in his last leg of campaign in August-endon August 23 or 27. He added that the party would plan that he addresses a meeting in Central Gujarat.

The BJP, he said, had highlighted various achievements of the party in 8,000 villages of the State. Pandya said that the party is banking upon the slogan of Shakti, Shanti and Ekta. Elaborating on it, he said that Shakti symbolised the Pokhran blast, Shanti, the Lahore bus trip and Ekta the image of Vajpayee at the international level.

Terming it as the BJP8217;s achievement, he said that it is very unnatural that the minority community burnt Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in effigy during Kargil crisis.

As against the Congress seeking votes on the basis of the caste, the BJP is going to masses with nationalist spirit, the spokesman stated. He added that the party would convince people to vote and celebrate September 5 as Lokshahi mahotsav democratic festival.

Pandya said that the party had already geared up to bag seven Lok Sabha seats of Central Gujarat.

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He further stated that the names of party candidates for Chhotaudepur, Kheda and Dahod would be announced from New Delhi on Wednesday evening.

Although Pandya said that there were 2 crore infiltrators in the country, he could not give more details.

About the anonymous letter criticising party leaders which was circulated a few days ago, the spokesman said inquiry would be done if it had proof. City unit president Krishnakant Shah told Express Newsline that the probe is on.