Our party never indulges in caste-based politics: BJP’s Sudhanshu Trivedi

Alleging that RJD and the JD(U), who have criticised the Centre for not releasing the caste census report, are indulging in caste politics, BJP asserted that it would take Bihar out of the quagmire of casteism after coming to power.

"Our party never indulges in caste-based politics. Everybody - forward, backward, Dalits or Scheduled Tribes - are with us. We do not use caste cards," BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi told reporters here.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has resolved that casteism should be ended. We are determined to take Bihar out of the quagmire of casteism," he said describing RJD president Lalu Prasad and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as 'casteist'.

He said BJP is the only party fighting the forthcoming Assembly polls to win and form government while others are indulging in "negative politics" and are in the run for different reasons. Our party never indulges in caste-based politics: BJP

JD(U) is contesting to retain its credit, RJD is fighting to save its status while Congress is in the run to register its presence, the BJP leader said.

Stating that the time has come to decide the future of Bihar and its people, he said the Janata Parivar unity followed by its disunity happens in a cyclical phenomenon in every 10-12 year, and ultimately benefits the BJP.

Noting party's growth in the Lok Sabha, he said the number of BJP MPs grew since 1989 and the original Janata Party and Janta Dal splintered into regional parties.

BJP members in Lok Sabha had been 86 (1989), 120 (1991), 161 (1996), 182 (1998) and 183 (1999) and its leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee became PM after 1996, 1998 and 1999 elections, he said.

Taking potshots at Nitish Kumar tying up with RJD and Congress, Trivedi said it was a paradox to hi claims of development as he tied up with "a symbol of jungle raj" on one hand, and "a symbol of corruption" on the other.

He also attacked Kumar's 'Har ghar dastak' (knock at every house) campaign saying the knock was an omen of "dangerous" future instead of a happy one.

"Kumar has to answer how did a growth rate of 15.5 per cent which was the highest in India dropped to around eight per cent after he broke away from BJP-led NDA, and where has his promise of 'good governance' gone," he added.

Trivedi also attacked Lalu Prasad saying he came to power as the leader of the "deprived sections of society" but went on to become leader of a certain caste.

"And when time came to hand over the mantle of leadership to others, he turned into the leader of his family and did not even bother about his loyal leaders," he said.

The BJP national spokesperson said the recent results to 24 Legislative Council seats in the state indicated that public was in favour of his party and the dream of BJP to make a strong India and a strong Bihar will be realised.

On the Chief Ministerial candidate of BJP for Bihar Assembly polls, Trivedi said there was no dearth of capable leaders in the party and its central leadership will take a decision on it.

To a question on Vyapam scam in the BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh, he said it was the "BJP government there which started a probe into it, formed an SIT and approached court for directions."

This New is Originally Posted on NEWS18