Ambedkar memorial ceremony part of Bihar poll campaign: NCP

Mumbai, Oct 1: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Thursday accused the BJP of indulging in politics over B R Ambedkar, saying the proposed foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Indian Constitution architect's memorial and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally are a part of campaign for Bihar polls.

Addressing a press conference, NCP spokesman Nawab Malik charged here that the foundation stone-laying ceremony organised by the BJP-led government is a "gimmick" and the subsequent rally has been fixed with an eye on Bihar Assembly polls. [Bihar Assembly Elections 2015: Full Coverage]

Modi will preside over the ceremony scheduled on October 10, which will be followed by a public rally.

"Modi plans to address a campaign rally for Bihar elections by bringing crowds from Mumbai and Gujarat. With the help of the electronic media, the strategy is to address the national audience. BJP and Modi have no love and respect for Ambedkar," he said.

The senior leader asked the state government to declare the name of the contractor who will on the project.

"Yesterday it was just announced that the draft project plan of Shashi Prabhu and Associates had been accepted," he said, adding that other vital details regarding awarding the contract should also be disclosed by the government.

Describing the foundation stone-laying function as a gimmick by BJP, Malik said it cannot influence voters of Bihar in such a manner. To a query on minister Eknath Khadse's remarks that if Sanathan Sanstha under scrutiny for the alleged murder of rationalist Govind Pansare is banned then it also calls for ban on party like AIMIM, Malik wondered if Khadse had discussed the issue with BJP national president Amit Shah.

"Sanathan is a terrorist organisation whose involvement in blasts in Goa and Maharashtra have been proved. Their members even go to the extent of murdering individuals who don't believe in their ideology," Malik alleged.

Alluding to allegations of a hidden understanding between BJP and the Hyderabad-based party to cut down on Congress's Muslim votes, he said, "It is wrong to encourage outfits like AIMIM in such a manner."

PTI