The BJP on Saturday said that party president Rajnath Singh had not apologised to Muslims for the 2002 post-Godhra riots in Gujarat, contrary to some media reports.
“The BJP president did not apologise. We want people from all sections of society to come with us. We don’t feel the need to apologise,” party spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said in Mumbai.
“He (Mr. Singh) has not apologised for any past (issues). We believe in taking everybody along. We talk of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat (One India, Great India),” he added.
Earlier this week, addressing a gathering of Muslims, the BJP chief had said, “If there has been any mistake and shortcoming on our part, I assure you that we will apologise to you by bowing our heads.”
Mr. Naqvi on Saturday added that, “Come with us. Show trust in us. Afterwards, (if) you feel that we are going wrong, we will definitely seek an apology.”
He said that riots had taken place frequently in Congress-ruled States, but “how many times has it apologised?”
“Good governance is like Raj Dharma (ruler’s duty) for us... We consider good governance more important than secularism,” the BJP spokesperson said.
Targeting the Congress, Mr. Naqvi alleged that the UPA government was bringing in ordinance after ordinance to save criminals.
“It has become like an ordinance factory. Every day, on the directions of AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi, they are bringing in ordinances,” he quipped.
