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Updated April 19th, 2019 at 15:49 IST

'Good that Advani has started expressing views again, but who were they aimed at?,' asks Shiv Sena

The Shiv Sena on Saturday sought to know the intention behind BJP veteran L K Advani’s blog post where he said that his party never regarded those who disagreed with it politically as "anti-national"

Reported by: Digital Desk
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The Shiv Sena on Saturday sought to know the intention behind BJP founder and leader L K Advani’s blog post where he said that his party never regarded those who disagreed with it politically as "anti-national".

Quoting Advani's statement that elections are the celebration of the democracy and should be conducted in an impartial and fair manner, Sena sought to know at whom his remarks were aimed.

"Advani said it is not the tradition of the BJP to consider its rivals as anti-nationals. He said the party never considered those who disagreed with it politically as anti-national or enemies, but only as adversaries. Since the statement was made by a senior leader like Advani, it became significant. He has expressed his 'mann ki baat' in a forceful way on the occasion of the BJP's foundation day. But what is the intention behind the remarks made by one of founders of the BJP?" it asked.

READ | ‘Nation First, Party Next, Self Last', L.K. Advani's Blog About BJP Invites Appreciation From PM Modi

Sena leaders further added that while conducting election rallies, the leaders of Advani’s party are making statements like 'opposition is speaking the language of Pakistan and enemies'.

"During the campaign, issues of development, progress, inflation have taken a backseat, while issues like Pakistan, national security have gained importance. It appeared that the issues of sacrifice of 40 Jawans in Pulwama terror attack and subsequent airstrikes left all other issues behind. But it was temporary," the Sena said.

"Advani's writing seems to suggest that just as the opposition is wrong in seeking the proof of air strikes, it is also improper to consider the opposition as anti-national. Those who are not with Modi, are not with the nation is the focal point of the BJP's campaign and the opposition is not ready to accept it," it added.

They further took it back to when “Indira is India” slogans were carried out throughout the country and how it did not go well with the people.

"The opposition is saying that Modi is not the country. Although what they are saying may not be wrong, nothing different was happening in the case of former PM Indira Gandhi after 1975. 'Indira is India' slogans were being raised at that time, and their next generation is now saying 'Modi is not India'. The slogan 'Indira is India' did not go well with the people. This is the beauty of our democracy and Advani has expressed the same thing," the Sena said.

The leaders of the Sena further probed Advani’s thoughts on elections being a festival of democracy. They questioned as to who was the veteran leader of BJP trying to aim while making those remarks.

"Advani said, to him, the nation comes first, party next and self last. The leaders of his time lived by this mantra and fought for it. Advani said elections are a festival of democracy and they should be conducted in an impartial and fair manner. But Advani's opinion is aimed at whom?" it sought to know.

Furthermore, they disagreed on Advani’s views saying there is no one leader in the opposition and that they do not share a common ideology

"But what can Modi and the NDA do about it? If anyone feels that wrong things are taking place in the country, the feeble opposition, and not the ruling dispensation, should be blamed for it," it said.

The Sena further said, "It is a good thing that Advani has started expressing his views again. Now he is free. Modi has also welcomed Advani's views. It is an indication of the changing winds."

(With PTI inputs)

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Published April 6th, 2019 at 17:03 IST

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