New Delhi, Sep 9 (PTI) BJP president Nitin Nabin on Wednesday described the Congress’ objection to singing the full version of Vande Mataram as its “anti-India mindset” and hit out at Rahul Gandhi over his ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ programmes, saying its “resonance” will not go beyond his own party workers.
In his first press conference at the BJP headquarters here since becoming the BJP national president in January, Nabin also took on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), alleging “anarchy” under its rule in Punjab. The BJP will raise a public movement against the drug menace in Punjab and contest the upcoming assembly polls on these issues, including “corruption” under the AAP rule in the state, he added.
He was replying to media queries at a press conference held at the party headquarters to announce the launch of a month-long ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ across the country on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday on September 17 to mark his 25 years in public life, with a series of programmes focused on youth outreach and public participation.
Asked about the Congress’ objection to signing the full version of Vande Mataram, the BJP chief said, “I consider it an anarchic mindset of the Congress. I consider it an anti-national mindset and an insult to the millions of martyrs of the country who aligned themselves with this ‘veer gaan’ (Vande Mataram) of the freedom struggle and made the ultimate sacrifice.” “I believe that the resolve for Viksit Bharat will also move forward with the echo of this ‘Vande Mataram’,” he added.
On the Congress’ ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ programmes, Nabin took a potshot at Gandhi, asking how much substance is there in the voice of the person who is attempting to make his voice resonate.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country’s youth are moving forward and becoming self-reliant. I do not believe that the impact of his ‘goonj’ (resonance) will go beyond his party workers. The youth of the country and common people are with Modiji,” he said.
“If those people, who are trying to give wrong directions to the voice of youngsters, had strength in their voice, they would have done something for the youth of this country when they had the opportunity,” Nabin charged.
“Their ‘goonj’ is aimed at boosting the morale of their party workers. Our ‘goonj’ is entirely focused on uniting the country’s 140 crore people,” he added.
To a question on the death of seven students in the collapse of a five-storey building in Delhi’s Satya Niketan recently and the problems related to lodging that the outstation students face in general, Nabin said, “I would like to assure the students that our government will certainly address the problems.” “The government of India remains committed to ensuring that the country’s youth, especially those who come out of their home states for education or employment, have access to quality education and a safe environment. We will always prioritise this,” the BJP president said.
Nabin said the Delhi government is “actively” dealing with the “current challenges”.
“They have taken prompt action and efforts will be made to resolve all related issues through a holistic approach,” he added.
Asked about the BJP’s strategy for upcoming assembly polls in Punjab, Nabin said that given the “state of anarchy and corruption” prevailing in the state, the Bharatiya Janata Party is fully prepared to confront the situation head-on.
“We believe there is a pressing need for a widespread public movement against the drug menace, and the BJP will spearhead such a movement in the coming days. Furthermore, the anarchy and corruption characterising the Punjab government along with the questionable nature of recent inductions into their party (AAP) pose a threat to both the state and the country,” he said.
“We will take these issues to the electoral battlefield,” the BJP chief added. PTI PK ADI PK KSS KSS
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