BJP only 'truly' secular party in India: Advani

Bangalore/Kolkata, Apr 21: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Prime Ministerial candidate L K Advani has said that the BJP is the only 'truly' secular party in the country.

Campaigning in Bangalore, Advani charged the Congress Party of pampering to minority Muslims.

Citing Dec 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, his death sentenced confirmed by the Supreme Court, Advani said that he would have been hanged by now, if he were a Hindu.

"If Afzal Guru was Anand Mohan, he would have been hanged. I don't blame the Muslims. They do not want terrorism in the country. But these people, who play vote bank politics do not understand that by having this kind of an approach, they are actually, insulting Muslims. The BJP promises that if there is any party in the country that is truly secular, it is the BJP," Advani said.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata lashed out at the Left Front.

"Since 32 years, there is no change in West Bengal. The West Bengal Government is a government of the goons, by the goons and for the goons. They don't accept the constitutional obligations or the public obligation. They rig the election and they kill people. They are not allowing us to campaign. This government has to be sacked. We want democratic elections," she said.

Polling in West Bengal will be held in three stages on Apr 30, May 7 and May 13 as a part of the five-phased elections that commenced on Apr 16.

ANI