BJP committed to progress of Muslims: Gadkari
Nagpur: Union minister Nitin Gadkari Sunday said the BJP was committed to ensure the progress of Muslim community though there could be a difference of opinion on some issues.
A discussion is required on the various issues being faced by the minority community, he said, adding there was a need to spread education among the community.
Gadkari was speaking on 'Muslim Issues With The Government' at a seminar organised by the Vidarbha Muslim Intellectuals Forum here.
"One thing (I am saying) from the core of my heart...my party and we are very much committed to (ensure) all type of development and progress of the Muslim community," he said.
"We do not want to discriminate against anybody on the basis of caste, creed, sex, religion and language. We may have some differences of opinion on various issues," the senior BJP leader said.
"We have to start a discussion on it, and it is (high) time, for our country, that after discussion we understood each other....we need cooperation, coordination and communication in the society...," he said.
The transport minister said he listened to what other speakers had to say at the event, adding, "I promise to think on them, and my party will think on them."
The minister also underlined the importance of education for the community.
"I am of the view that spread of education is required the most in the Muslim community, and in that women should get equal rights with men," he added.
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Mamata visits Bhabanipur EVM strong room, warns against counting irregularities
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee early Friday warned against any attempt to tamper with the counting process, hours after she visited an EVM strong room in Bhabanipur, alleging possible malpractice.
Banerjee, who emerged around 12:07 am after spending nearly four hours at the counting centre for her Bhabanipur constituency housed in Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata, said only one person would be allowed inside the designated counting area.
"Either the candidate or one agent can stay upstairs. I have also suggested installation of a CCTV camera for the media," she told reporters.
Stressing the need for transparency, she said, "It is essential to maintain transparency. People’s votes must be protected. I rushed here after receiving complaints. The central forces initially did not allow me to enter."
Sounding a stern note ahead of the May 4 counting, she added, "If there is any plan to tamper with the counting process, it will not be tolerated."
On Thursday evening, Banerjee had reached the Bhabanipur Assembly segment counting centre, which houses the strong room for EVMs used in the April 29 polling, citing suspicion of tampering with the machines.
She entered the premises along with her election agent and remained inside for hours, even as Kolkata Mayor and TMC candidate from the Kolkata Port segment Firhad Hakim reached the spot but could not meet her.
"I reached here upon learning that the chief minister has arrived. But I couldn’t meet her since she was already inside the premises, exercising her right as a candidate to visit strong rooms. I wasn’t allowed there. I will not be able to confirm what exactly is transpiring inside," Hakim said.
The development coincided with protests by TMC candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja outside the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in north Kolkata, where they staged a sit-in alleging irregularities and possible tampering of EVMs stored in strong rooms, leading to face-offs between TMC and BJP supporters.
Earlier in a video message, Banerjee had urged party leaders, workers and polling agents to maintain a 24-hour vigil on EVM strong rooms, alleging that the BJP could attempt to tamper with the machines before counting begins.
Her remarks come amid heightened political tension in the state following a fiercely contested Assembly election, with parties closely monitoring arrangements and raising concerns over transparency.
