BJP has never regarded its critics either as 'enemies' or 'anti-nationals,' said the party veteran LK Advani in his blog titled 'Nation first, party next, and self last' on Thursday, two days before the BJP's foundation day celebration on April 6.
In the blog, the party veteran dwelt upon "respect for diversity" and "freedom of expression", asserting that the "BJP has never regarded those who disagree with us politically as enemies but as adversaries".
Coming just days ahead of Lok Sabha elections, the blog attracted eyeballs from the opposition, and caused discomfiture within the BJP, given that it raises questions that are currently being hotly debated across the country.
Incidentally, around the same time, BJP chief Amit Shah cancelled his visit to Telangana where he was to address two back-to-back rallies, at Warangal and Karimnagar. According to party sources, he had to attend an "emergency meeting" on the party manifesto and poll-related issues.
Urging his party to "look back, look ahead and look within", Advani stressed on "democracy and democratic traditions" within the party. "Defense of democracy and democratic traditions, both within the Party and in the larger national setting, has been the proud hallmark of the BJP," he wrote.
"The essence of Indian democracy is respect for diversity and freedom of expression. Right from its inception, the BJP has never regarded those who disagree with us politically as our 'enemies', but only as our 'adversaries'," Advani wrote.
"Similarly, in our conception of Indian nationalism, we have never regarded those who disagree with us politically as anti-national. The party has been committed to freedom of choice of every citizen at personal as well as political level," he stated.
Describing BJP as always being in the forefront of demanding protection of independence, integrity, fairness and robustness of all democratic institutions, including the media, Advani talked about electoral reforms that are in the centre of the debate currently.
"Electoral reform, with special focus on transparency in political and electoral funding, which is so essential for a corruption-fee polity, has been another priority for our party," Advani said.
Sharing Advani's blog on Twitter later in the evening at 8:34 pm, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Advani Ji perfectly sums up the true essence of BJP, most notably the guiding Mantra of 'Nation First, Party Next, Self Last.' Proud to be a BJP Karyakarta and proud that greats like LK Advani Ji have strengthened it."
Using the blog to take potshots at the BJP, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee said, "As the senior-most politician, former Deputy PM and founding father of the BJP, the views Advani Ji has expressed about extending democratic courtesies, is significant. Of course, all of the Opposition who raise their voices are not anti-national. We welcome his statement & convey our humble regards."
Sources said that Advani is upset after his unceremonious removal from the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat that he had won six times; the seat has been given to president Amit Shah to contest from.
Sources said that more than losing his MP seat for the first time, Advani was hurt he was given the news not by BJP president Amit Shah but a lower party functionary.
