Show allies we are secular: Advani to BJP

A day after BJP president Nitin Gadkari talked of making “social harmony” a key party commitment,L K Advani’s address on Friday said the BJP needed to re-project its “commitment to secularism” to expand its base.

“The challenge before us is to ensure that the NDA platform expands. Transform NDA into NDA Plus. (it) involves reassuring our potential allies that they have nothing to be appehensive about partnering with the BJP. This requires an imaginative re-projection of our commitment to secularism,” read parts of Advani’s prepared speech,at the conclusion of the BJP national executive meeting here,circulated by party managers. The senior leader however skipped these during his actual address.

He also skipped the portion that sought to “reassure” minority communities. Condemning the anti-Islam film that has provoked Muslim protests,Advani’s speech stated: “We should… reassure our brethren belonging to the minority communities that we brook no discrimination or injustice in dealing with different sections… It is against our ethos to accept defamation of prophets and saints revered by any faith.”

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was incidentally present on the dais as Advani made his speech skipping the secularism portions.