Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti row: BJP chief Amit Shah asserts party's objective is social harmony

New Delhi, Dec 2: On a day BJP came under attack over alleged communal remarks by Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, its president Amit Shah said the party has stood for principles of social harmony since days of the Jan Sangh and will continue to do so.

"BJP is a party which has been standing for principles of social harmony among the people through its work since days of Jan Sangh. Social harmony has always been the objective of the party," Shah said while addressing the All India Dalit Mahapanchayat here.

The comments by Shah came as the BJP and NDA government came under severe attack in Parliament for Jyoti's remarks at an election rally on Monday that voters of Delhi should choose between "Ram's sons" and "illegitimate sons".

The Minister of state for food processing industries today expressed "deep regret" and apologised for her actions and said she did not intend to hurt anyone's feelings. A party spokesperson has said it was "a slip of tongue" by the minister and the issue should not be stretched after she apologised.

Shah, however, did not respond to queries from media persons on the controversy.

Talking about Delhi's political situation, Shah asked the Dalit community to support BJP and contribute significantly to ensure its victory in Delhi.

Referring to BJP's country-wide membership drive, Shah said the initiative is aimed at including all sections into the party fold.

"The party has decided this time that any part of the country, any colony, specially those inhibited by Dalits and Valmikis, should not be left without BJP's presence," Shah said at the function at the Talkotara indoor stadium.

Dalit community have significant influence in around 12 assembly constituencies out of 70 in Delhi. The Dalit voters are estimated at around 22 lakh out of 1.20 crore electorate.

The BJP president also gave a 'live demonstration' of getting membership of the party by dialing a toll-free number. He made the audience dial 18002662020 to get instant membership of the party and then "welcomed them to the party fold.

"Take out your mobile phones and dial the toll free number," he said. After dialing the toll free number, an SMS is sent asking for certain details and when the details are sent, a person becomes a member, Shah said.

PTI