Interfering with voters’ choice is unlawful, says BJP to NBCC

Dimapur, Feb. 12 (EMN): The Nagaland unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has maintained that it was not a communal party as being alleged including by Baptist organisations. “Had it been so, the Election Commission of India (ECI) would not have recognized it in the first place. The secular character of the Constitution of India cannot be changed by any political party even if it enjoys absolute majority,” a statement from the party on Mon. read. It stated that ‘religious polarization’ seems to be the choice strategy of some people in Nagaland during elections. “NBCC, as such, is not being blamed, but there are some few leaders at its helm who are trying to confuse the Nagas. “When the convener of NBCC Clean Election Campaign (CEC) had earlier categorically stated that, as a responsible organization, the council was not in support or against any political party, why is it that some leaders are using the NBCC platform to openly campaign against BJP? Is it not in contravention to the Clean Election guidelines laid down by the apex Church council?” it wondered. The timing of the anti-BJP statement from the NBCC was not lost on the state unit. “With less than three weeks left in the run up to the state assembly election, this sudden and oblique declaration that BJP, which was a partner in the NPF- led DAN government, is a communal party is perplexing”. Confusing citizens, it stated, ‘by trying to spiritually interfere in voters’ choice is unlawful’. Referring to the conversations in various internet platforms, the party stated: “It is quite appalling to see that social media is presently flooded with false and fake propaganda, especially in a Christian state like ours. Lies, rumours and deceit have ousted truth from our hearts and most of us are like the proverbial ‘pot calling the kettle black’”. The BJP’s only vested interest, it stated, was development.