KOTTAYAM: Setting the goal for the 2019 Parliamentary election, a meeting of the BJP state committee held here on Tuesday resolved to widen its social base by expanding the state chapter of the NDA and taking up social issues.
The meeting held ahead of Wednesday’s state council meeting also finalised the political resolutions to be presented in the state council.
BJP state general secretary M T Ramesh told reporters that the state committee had decided to discuss expansion of the NDA at the state council meeting, apart from holding discussions on taking up social issues.
“In order to develop the NDA as a political alternative in the state, the social base of the coalition needs to be widened. Discussions were held in this regard, which will be presented in the state council.
There should be representation of all sections in the NDA, and we will consider bringing in like-minded partners who oppose policies of the UDF and the LDF. Though no concrete steps have been taken in this regard, the possibility of inviting the Kerala Congress (M) into the NDA fold cannot be ruled out,” he said.
On opening the doors to the Kerala Congress(M), Ramesh said corruption allegation against one of the leaders of a party did not mean that the entire organisation was corrupt.
Social Issues
BJP leader Ramesh said discussions at the state committee meeting were centred around organising massive protests in the state, taking up social issues such as land struggles, attack on Dalits and the political agenda behind the move to sabotage the National Food Security Programme in the state. “There has been a conspiracy behind the delay in implementing the National Food Security Act in Kerala. Both the UDF and the LDF are trying to sabotage implementation of the Act.
Also, there is culpable negligence on the part of the LDF Government towards the struggles of landless people. Increasing atrocities against Dalits are another major concern. The BJP will organise massive protests across the state from the next month, coordinating all our supplementary organisations.
Difference of opinion resolved
Ramesh said the difference of opinion among state leaders of the party over countering criticism was resolved. “It is a closed chapter for the party now,” he said.
Supporting party leader A N Radhakrishnan on the controversy surrounding filmmaker Kamal, Ramesh said the former had never asked Kamal to leave the country.
“Radhakrishnan said those who cannot abide by the Constitution of India cannot live in the country.
The BJP opposes Kamal and M T Vasudevan Nair only for their political stance, which is part of our responsibility to protect the party from criticism,” Ramesh said.
The BJP state council meeting will be held at Mammen Mappllai Hall here on Wednesday.