JD(S) supremo Gowda asks BJP K'taka chief Vijayendra to fight LS poll together without any confusion
Bengaluru (PTI): Newly appointed BJP Karnataka president B Y Vijayendra on Monday said JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda has asked him that the BJP and JD(S) should fight the Lok Sabha elections together without giving room for confusion.
Vijayendra called on Deve Gowda, and former Chief Ministers S M Krishna and Basavaraj Bommai at their residence as part of his courtesy meetings. The 47-year-old younger son of veteran BJP leader B S Yediyurappa was appointed to the post on November 10, and he would formally take over on November 15.
Vijayendra, who met Gowda at his Padmanabha Nagar residence, touched his feet and sought blessings, and offered a shawl, garland and a bouquet of flowers.
JD (S) joined the BJP-led NDA in September and the two parties said they would soon finalise the seat-sharing arrangement for the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka.
Later speaking to mediapersons, Vijayendra said Gowda was happy that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given him a major responsibility and he should tour across the state just as his father and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa.
"He (Deve Gowda) told me the BJP and the JD(S) should fight the upcoming Lok Sabha elections together without giving room for any confusion, solve the problems amicably and march forward," the BJP state chief said.
Noting that BJP and its ally have set a target to win maximum number of seats in the Lok Sabha election, Vijayendra said Gowda told him that next year's poll is crucial as it is "related to the future of the country".
Gowda (90) also stressed on drawing more youths into politics.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Bommai at his residence, Vijayendra said Bommai has assured him that he would travel across Karnataka to campaign for the party under his leadership for the Lok Sabha polls.
"I met former CM and our senior Basavaraj Bommai on the occasion of Deepavali and took his blessings and sought his continued guidance," Vijayendra said.
According to the first-time Shikarpura MLA, Bommai was happy that the BJP national leaders have taken a good decision which will give a big boost to the state BJP unit.
"He (Bommai) said he will be with us always. He also said that the upcoming Lok Sabha election is crucial as it will shape the future of the country. We have to face together with unity. He also said he will travel across the state to strengthen the party of my leadership," Vijayendra said.
Vijayendra said he has requested Bommai to attend the ceremony when he formally takes charge on Wednesday.
On his appointment, he said the decision was taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP National President J P Nadda and BJP General Secretary (Organisation) B L Santhosh.
"They have taken the decision in the interest of the party. I am in touch with all the senior party leaders and everybody is happy. It is unfair to draw any wrong conclusion," he added.
Vijayendra also met the 91-year-old Krishna, who joined the BJP in 2017 after a 45-year association with the Congress.
Krishna served as Chief Minister of Karnataka from 1999 to 2004, as Maharashtra Governor from 2004 to 2008 and held the position of External Affairs Minister from 2009 to 2012.
In January this year, Krishna announced his retirement from active politics.
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Work underway on 'One Nation, One Election'; positive discussions ongoing: Modi
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the "mission is still ongoing" for implementing the BJP's two key agendas, the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and 'One Nation, One Election', with serious discussions underway and positive progress made.
Virtually addressing an event marking the BJP's 47th Foundation Day, Modi also said it was the saffron party that first raised the issue of women's reservation in 1994. He added that the current BJP-led central government is fully committed to ensuring that the Women's Reservation Act -- which would provide 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies -- is implemented in the 2029 general elections.
Targeting the Congress, he said BJP workers endured many hardships -- such as the Emergency and oppression -- under the grand old party's rule. Many BJP workers even sacrificed their lives, he said, citing states such as West Bengal and Kerala "where violence has been turned into a political culture".
"Our mission is still ongoing. On Uniform Civil Code, 'One Nation, One Election' and other issues, serious discussions are taking place in the country, and we have achieved tremendous progress on those fronts," Modi said.
He said the BJP aims to make the country developed and self-reliant, and will continue to march in that direction.
Under the 'One Nation, One Election' system, the Modi government proposes to conduct simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The UCC seeks to create the same set of laws for everyone across the country, irrespective of religion, especially with regard to marriage and adoption.
Modi said the BJP is sincerely striving to face every challenge.
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"There are countless works that were the result of the BJP's honest efforts, such as the repeal of hundreds of black laws from the British era, the construction of a new Parliament building, 10 per cent reservation for the poor in the general category, triple talaq ban, the Citizenship Amendment Act, the construction of the Ayodhya Ram temple," he said.
The prime minister said the BJP had first proposed women's reservation in 1994 in Vadodara.
"We had also decided that we would encourage women in our party organisation as far as possible. When we came to power, we fulfilled that promise. Now we are fully dedicated to ensuring that the Nari Vandan Adhiniyam (Women's Reservation Act) is implemented in the 2029 general elections," he said.
Referring to the ongoing West Asia conflict, Modi said the BJP believes in the idea of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family) even in times of war.
He said there was a time when India took pride in maintaining equal distance from every country, but now it is moving ahead by keeping close relations with each country.
Highlighting that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has completed 25 years of existence, Modi said it is the only coalition that has been working in the country's interest and for public welfare.
"The BJP has set an example in coalition politics. The consistent expansion of the NDA is proof that it is an all-inclusive coalition. It works by prioritising regional aspirations," he said.
Modi said people have seen dynastic politics, which is still prevalent in some parts of the country, and the Left governance model, but the BJP's governance model is unique.
"Under our governance model, policies and governments are stable," he said.
Modi said the BJP has its own agenda and aims, and besides handling the current crisis, the party-led government is preparing the country for the future.
"Works are ongoing on issues such as the demographic change, infiltration, corruption, dynastic politics, and freeing people from a colonial mindset. The BJP has to make the country free from all these challenges. This responsibility can be fulfilled only by the BJP," he said.
Referring to the abrogation of Article 370 (which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir) in 2019, Modi said that for decades, the law was a hurdle in fully integrating Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country.
"People thought it was impossible to scrap Article 370, but we had promised to abrogate it. We have completed the task," he said.
He said the BJP has been maintaining a consistent stand on issues like national security and terrorism, and now new technologies are being installed for border security, border villages are being developed, and the backbone of Naxalism has been crushed.
He said under the "vast and sacred banyan tree" of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the BJP was inspired to step into politics with good intentions and integrity.
"In the initial few decades, we devoted our energy to setting policies for the organisation," he said, adding that the BJP cannot forget that in 1984, the Congress won a record number of seats, but the country also witnessed how they betrayed the people.
"This increased people's trust in the BJP, and slowly we began to win seats. At that time, two types of political ideologies existed: one was power-driven, and the other was service-oriented.
"The politics that prioritised power gradually declined, and service-oriented politics gained massive public support. Today, we are proud that through our conduct, we have established a new principle in Indian politics: the principle of nation first," he said.
Earlier, in an X post, Modi greeted BJP workers on the party's foundation day. The BJP was formed on April 6, 1980.
"Our party has always been at the forefront of serving society, guided by the principle of India First. Our 'karyakartas' are known for their selfless service, unwavering dedication and a deep passion towards good governance. They have worked tirelessly at the grassroots, ensuring maximum people are connected to our ideology and work.
"We also remember the countless workers whose dedication, sacrifice and perseverance have shaped the party's growth over decades," he said.
Modi said the BJP stands as a party that places the well-being of people at the centre of its vision, and this is reflected in the work at the Centre and in various states.
"BJP remains committed to building a Viksit Bharat. May our collective resolve continue to drive this vision forward and take India to new heights of progress and prosperity," he said.
