Breaking his silence after five long years, BJP patriarch LK Advani on Thursday penned a blog saying the essence of Indian democracy is respect for diversity and freedom of expression and that the BJP never regarded those who disagree with the party politically as its “enemies” and “anti-nationals.”
While the blog remains focused on highlighting the BJP core commitment and Advani’s personal journey, the BJP veteran has tried to show mirror to many of the party leaders who have been quick to tag as “anti-national” anyone who opposed the BJP’s idea of nationalism.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Advani’s write-up and said, “Advani ji perfectly sums up the true essence of BJP, most notably the guiding mantra of ‘Nation first, party next, self last’. Proud to be a BJP karyakarta and proud that great leaders like LK Advani ji have strengthened (it).”
The blog shows red-flag to loose cannons within the party who indulge in vitriolic criticism of rivals, making it sound as they were not political opponents but sworn enemies.
Sharing his views ahead of the BJP Foundation Day on April 6, Advani said, “As one of the founders of the BJP, I deem it to be my duty to share my reflections with the people of India, and more specifically with the millions of workers of my party, both of whom have indebted me with their affection and respect.”
“The essence of Indian democracy is respect for diversity and freedom of expression. Right from its inception, the BJP has never regarded those who disagree with us politically as our ‘enemies’, but only as our adversaries,” he said.
“Similarly, in our conception of Indian nationalism, we have never regarded those who disagree with us politically as ‘anti-national’. The party has been committed to freedom of choice of every citizen at personal as well as political level,” Advani said.
The BJP founder leader expressed his “sincere gratitude to the people of Gandhinagar”, who have elected him to the Lok Sabha six times since 1991. “Their love and support has always overwhelmed me,” Advani said.
He recalled his old days saying serving the motherland has been his passion and his mission ever since he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at the age of 14.
“My political life has been inseparably associated with my party for nearly seven decades, first with the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and later with the Bharatiya Janata Party and I have been a founding member of both. It has been my rare privilege to work closely with stalwarts like Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and many other great, inspiring and self-less leaders,” he said.
In the beginning of his blog, the BJP veteran said the guiding principle of his life has been “Nation first, party next, self last.”
