Guj, HP will alter course of natl politics: MP CM

Gwalior, Dec 29 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party's victory in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh would alter the course of national politics.

''In neighbouring Gujarat, it was a victory of the BJP's idology coupled with development and a rout of Congress' votebank politics-cum-appeasement. The twin victories will strengthen the National Democratic Alliance,'' he told mediapersons here.

The Congress' votebank politics stood exposed by formation of the Sachar Committee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statements that Muslims have the first right to resources, Mr Chouhan added.

Alleging that repealing acts such as the Prevention of Terrorism Act was aimed at gladdening a particular community, the chief minister held the Congress responsible for militancy and added that he was stunned to hear Hindutva ideology being described as extremism.

''This state's assembly polls will take place as per schedule,'' he said while reacting to Congress General Secretary and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijay Singh's statement that the elections would be conducted in May next year.

UNI