'UPA sent notice seeking break up of Muslim voters'

Chennai, Feb 27: Close on the heels of a Muslim head-count in the army, the Congress led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had sent circulars to all district collectors, seeking the breakup of Muslim voters in each of the Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies, former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President M Venkaiah Naidu claimed today (Feb 27, 2006).

Releasing copies of the circular to newspersons here, Mr Naidu, terming it as a 'deep-rooted dangerous move', said the circular thoroughly exposed the evil intention of the Congress government to garner vote bank politics.

If the UPA government claimed that it was carrying a socio-economic study of the backwardness of the Muslim community, why not the government study the backwardness of communities or other minorities like Christians as well.

"t is not a socio-economic study, but a political study being carried out, keeping in view the elections" he alleged.

The circular, which had been dispatched directly to all district collectors in the country, was highly objectionable, dangerous and divisive anti-national act, aimed at vote bank politics, he said and demanded that it be withdrawn immediately.

"The BJP will oppose this move, both inside and outside the Parliament" Mr Naidu said.

The BJP leader said the party also vehemently opposed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's speech at the round table of Kashmir, proposing 'self rule' within the constitution on Kashmir.

Asking how could there be self-rule, Mr Naidu said, "this is a very dangerous and divisive move,'' and the BJP would oppose it tooth and nail. ''We will never allow self-rule in Kashmir", as it would send a wrong signal and would have chain reaction across the country, he said.

Already such a demand has come up in Nagaland, he added.

UNI