Centre's appeasement policy harming interest: Rajnath

Gumla, Apr 10: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Rajnath Singh today said that the Centre's minority 'appeasement' policy would not only harm India's interest but Hindus would also be minorities in their own land.

''About two crore Bangladeshi nationals have already infiltrated into the country and the government has not taken any step to detect and deport them,'' said Mr Singh, who is on a Bharat Suraksha Yatra.

''If such a policy continues then the Hindus may be minorities in their own country by 2007. To gain votes, the UPA talks even about reservation for rich Muslims whereas the BJP talks of reservation on the basis of socio-economically backward people,'' he explained.

Talking to newsmen here, the BJP president appealed to the Maoists to shun violence and hold talks under the provision of the Constitution. ''Violence cannot solve any problem,'' he said adding the naxals should also hold talks with BJP-ruled state governments.

Addressing a meeting, he criticised the policies of the UPA government. ''During their two year rule not only have the prices of essentials increased but (they have) also failed to control terrorist and maoist activities. During the six year NDA rule, headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, (we) had not only arrested price hike but also controlled terrorist and naxal activities,'' he said.

Earlier, he was accorded a warm reception on his arrival on the banks of river Sankh, on the border of Chhattisgarh, by BJP national vice-president Babulal Marandi, Chief Minister Arjun Munda and state BJP president Jadunath Pandey among others.

UNI