Muslim appeasement, security to figure in BJP National Council

Lucknow, Dec 23 (UNI) The crucial National Council of Bharatiya Janata Party gets underway here with the issues of Muslim appeasement, security and problems of the common man to be highlighted during the two-day deliberations.

In the opening session, the Council would ratify the next term of party president Rajnath Singh besides adopting resolutions on security and economic issues, including burgeoning inflation and price rise.

The 3000-member strong council meet started off with traditional flag hoisting by senior BJP leaders Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani and party supremo Rajnath Singh. Later, the party president addressed the Council.

The new team of the BJP national office-bearers would be announced next month, party sources said. It was expected that the announcement would be made during the conclave but it will be made in January.

Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, due in a couple of months, are likely to be the main agenda during the meet along with others issues.

The council conclave will carry forward the discussion on political scenario in the country that took place during yesterday's national executive .

The BJP during the national executive meeting had come down heavily on the UPA government at the Centre, condemning it for indulging in minority appeasement, poor tackling of terrorism and inking of the Indo-US nuclear deal.

According to BJP vice-president and spokesman Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, the party conclave had managed to send a strong signal to the UPA government at the Centre and Mulayam Singh Yadav government in UP, that their days were numbered and BJP is set to regain power at both the places.

UNI SB/MB PA BD1204