08-19-2009, 09:12 AM
BJP disowns Jaswantâs âJinnahâ book
* Party president says Jinnah played role in division of India
By Iftikhar Gilani
NEW DELHI: Indian opposition party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), officially dissociated itself on Tuesday from senior party leader Jaswant Singhâs book on Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, saying it âdoes not represent the views of the partyâ.
A day after the bookâs release, BJP President Rajnath Singh released a statement saying the views expressed by the former external affairs minister did not reflect the party position. âThe book authored by Shri Jaswant Singh does not represent the views of the Bharatiya Janata Party. In fact the party completely dissociates itself from the contents of the book,â it said.
Too well known: In his book, Jaswant has held Jawaharlal Nehru responsible for the partition of India, adding Jinnah has been unfairly âdemonisedâ in India. Rajnath underlined that Jinnah had played an important role in the âdivision of India, which led to a lot of dislocation and destabilisation of millions of peopleâ. âIt is too well known. We cannot wish away this painful part of our history,â he said. He also took objection to the ridicule of Sardar Vallabhai Patel by Jaswant, saying the countryâs first home minister had played an historic role in the unification and consolidation of India amidst serious threats to its unity and integrity. âThe entire country remains indebted and proud of all the profound vision, courage and leadership of Patel,â he said.
Earlier, BJPâs deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj had indicated that Jaswant Singhâs views on Jinnah would âcertainlyâ be the subject of a detailed discussion at the partyâs three-day brainstorming session in Simla due to begin today (Wednesday). âDenigrating Sardar Patel and eulogising Jinnah are views that are totally against the partyâs basic ideology and belief,â she was quoted as saying in a report published in The Hindu. There could be, and would be, no compromise on the party beliefs, she added.
* Party president says Jinnah played role in division of India
By Iftikhar Gilani
NEW DELHI: Indian opposition party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), officially dissociated itself on Tuesday from senior party leader Jaswant Singhâs book on Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, saying it âdoes not represent the views of the partyâ.
A day after the bookâs release, BJP President Rajnath Singh released a statement saying the views expressed by the former external affairs minister did not reflect the party position. âThe book authored by Shri Jaswant Singh does not represent the views of the Bharatiya Janata Party. In fact the party completely dissociates itself from the contents of the book,â it said.
Too well known: In his book, Jaswant has held Jawaharlal Nehru responsible for the partition of India, adding Jinnah has been unfairly âdemonisedâ in India. Rajnath underlined that Jinnah had played an important role in the âdivision of India, which led to a lot of dislocation and destabilisation of millions of peopleâ. âIt is too well known. We cannot wish away this painful part of our history,â he said. He also took objection to the ridicule of Sardar Vallabhai Patel by Jaswant, saying the countryâs first home minister had played an historic role in the unification and consolidation of India amidst serious threats to its unity and integrity. âThe entire country remains indebted and proud of all the profound vision, courage and leadership of Patel,â he said.
Earlier, BJPâs deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj had indicated that Jaswant Singhâs views on Jinnah would âcertainlyâ be the subject of a detailed discussion at the partyâs three-day brainstorming session in Simla due to begin today (Wednesday). âDenigrating Sardar Patel and eulogising Jinnah are views that are totally against the partyâs basic ideology and belief,â she was quoted as saying in a report published in The Hindu. There could be, and would be, no compromise on the party beliefs, she added.