Though underplaying the resignation of Vice-Chancellor of Devi Ahilya University in Madhya Pradesh for reportedly inviting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to a university function, Bharatiya Janata Party national president Nitin Gadkari on Thursday criticised the Congress' reaction to the presence of Amitabh Bachchan at the inauguration of the Bandra-Worli sea link.
Refuting the charge that the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Ajit Singh Sehrawat was politically motivated, Mr. Gadkari told journalists here that he did not know the reason. He, however, clarified that “the BJP does not support any political activity in universities since they are seats of learning.”
Referring to the controversy over Mr. Bachchan, Mr. Gadkari said: “Mr. Bachchan has helped increase the reputation of India across the world. Yet, he is been blacklisted since Madam [Sonia Gandhi] and Rajkumar [Rahul Gandhi] do not like him. This is shameful for the Indian democracy.”
Asked if the BJP had taken any decision over speculation of Uma Bharti rejoining the party, he said the party would decide only after Ms. Bharti approached the party leadership.
Castigating the West Bengal government's decision to implement job reservation for Muslims in the public sector, Mr. Gadkari pointed out that educating the Muslims should be the primary step towards their development.
“Backwardness is becoming a political interest. The Muslims need to be educated first for further development but none is paying attention to the basics and is playing vote-bank politics,” he said.
Portraying the BJP as an alternative to the Left Front in West Bengal, Mr. Gadkari said the change people of the State were seeking could be brought about only by the BJP. “No progress is possible in the State under the Left Front rule. It is neither developing agriculture nor industry and is confused about which way to go. The BJP is the only alternative to the Left Front — you like it or not,” he said.
