The Congress is willing to cooperate with anyone to fight communal forces and religious fundamentalism and to uphold secular values, Congress Working Committee member A.K. Antony has said.
Inaugurating a meeting organised by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) to commemorate former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary as well as observe the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel here on Tuesday, Mr. Antony said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had been trying to obfuscate national leaders since it came to power and make Jan Sangh leader Deendayal Upadhyay the father of the nation.
Attempts
There were also attempts to portray Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders as freedom fighters.
History was being distorted in States ruled by the BJP and that was reflected even in the school curriculum.
The Central government was functioning for corporates. Prime Minister Narendra Modi should explain to the nation the gains of demonetisation. He was escaping from this task. Mr. Modi would be forced to answer this question in the court, Mr. Antony said.
On Patel and Indira
Indira Gandhi was a bold woman who attained martyrdom to protect the unity and secularism of the country. Sardar Patel was one who was willing to go to any extent to strengthen the unity of the country.
Ban and threat
Mr. Patel had shown the courage to ban the RSS on finding that it was a threat to secularism.
KPCC president M.M. Hassan said that the BJP did not even have the right to mention Patel’s name.
KPCC general secretary Thampanoor Ravi presided.
