Patna, Sep 7: Bharatiya Janata Party National President JP Nadda hit out at the INDIA bloc on Saturday and said that the constituent parties of the opposition alliance have increased corruption and empowered anti-national elements, whereas the BJP and NDA have worked for the betterment of the country.
Nadda was addressing the party's national membership drive program 2024 in Patna.
The BJP leader began his address by paying tribute to Guru Gobind Singh, acknowledging his contributions in fighting against the Mughals.
He mentioned that on September 2, the BJP's "Sadasyata Abhiyan" membership drive was launched by PM Modi.
The BJP President emphasized that the BJP is the only party where the 'Pradhan Sevak,' along with party workers from the National President to district and booth-level workers, renews their membership every six years. Such a membership renewal process is unique to the BJP, as no other party could replicate it. While other parties are divided along lines of caste, region, and specific communities, or are centered around a single family, the BJP is a party that represents every section of society, working inclusively for the nation's welfare.
The BJP is a party of 18 crore members, and in this renewal drive the BJP aims for 10 crore members, and till now more than 1.25 crore members have joined BJP, he added.
The BJP President emphasized the BJP's commitment to equality, rights, and opportunities for all, contrasting it with other parties that prioritize specific castes or families for leadership roles. He highlighted the BJP's dedication to uplifting marginalized communities, including villages, the poor, oppressed, Dalits, farmers, youth, and women.
While other parties, especially Congress, have historically ignored Dalit rights, the BJP has actively worked for their betterment. Congress had twice tried to prevent Dr. BR Ambedkar from being elected to the Lok Sabha, whereas the BJP-backed government under VP Singh honored Ambedkar with the Bharat Ratna.
Nadda mentioned that PM Modi-led government declared November 26 as 'Samvidhan Diwas' in tribute to Dr. Ambedkar, a day that wasn't celebrated before 2014 because Dalits were treated as a vote bank by other parties.
A grand memorial has been built in Mhow, where Dr. BR Ambedkar was born. In London, "Shiksha Bhoomi" marks the place where he studied, while "Diksha Bhoomi" in Nagpur, "Mahaparinirvana Bhoomi" in Delhi, and "Chaitya Bhoomi" in Mumbai honor his legacy.
The BJP government under Atal Bihari Vajpayee made Baliyogi the first Dalit Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
In the Modi cabinet, there are 10 Dalit ministers, 27 OBC ministers, and 5 Adivasi ministers. The BJP has successfully integrated Dalits into the mainstream of society and governance, he added.
The BJP National President also highlighted that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, 1 crore 77 lakh homes were provided to Dalit families. He further emphasized that Dalits have been major beneficiaries of central schemes like Ayushman Bharat and Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.
Nadda expressed satisfaction at the enthusiastic public participation in the BJP's membership drive and urged everyone to spread the message.
He called the workers to take a pledge that no person from this region is left out from joining the BJP. During the event, Bihar BJP State President Dilip Jaiswal, Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, Patna Sahib MP and senior leader Ravi Shankar Prasad, Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly Nand Kishore Yadav, along with state BJP officials and karyakartas, were present.
(ANI)