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Dalits have been truly empowered under NDA rule, says BJP
The BJP on Sunday asserted that Dalits were truly empowered under the NDA Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and accused the Congress party of using the name of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar only for political gains, while ignoring his vision and disrespecting his ideals.
Addressing the media after the State Executive meeting of the BJP SC Morcha at the party office here, MP and SC Morcha national general secretary Bhola Singh said its activists across the country had been actively taking the NDA Government's welfare initiatives to the grassroots.
Despite chanting 'Garibi Hatao', the Congress party failed to eradicate poverty, or uplift the poor, Mr. Singh alleged. 'From Nehru to Rajiv Gandhi, no Congress leader truly worked for the poor,' he said.
Lauding Mr. Modi's leadership for launching numerous welfare schemes and significantly expanding healthcare infrastructure, he said, 'In the last 11 years, the number of medical colleges has grown substantially, benefitting the underprivileged.'
The 'AmritKaal' that Mr. Modi had ushered in saw women empowerment and SC representation in governance, he claimed. 'It is under Mr. Modi's rule that Dalits have been given power. They have been made Governors, Deputy Chief Ministers, and Union Cabinet Ministers,' Mr. Singh said.
He also recalled Mr. Modi's tribute to Dr. Ambedkar through development of the 'Panch Teerth' — the five sites marking the birth, education, and contributions of the late leader. Referring to Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Singh said the State was benefitting from the 'double-engine sarkar'.
Dalit Sammelans
State BJP president and Rajamahendravaram MP D. Purandeswari said the party planned to organise 'Dalit Sammelans' across Dalit colonies to create awareness about the party's welfare initiatives and counter misinformation.
'The BJP is the only party that has truly honored Dr. Ambedkar,' she said, recalling Mr. Modi's visit to Dr. Ambedkar's London residence and the government's development of Panch Teerth. Condemning the Congress party for using Dr. Ambedkar's name for political gains, she questioned, 'Can the Congress explain what it has truly done for Ambedkar?'
'Malicious propaganda'
Mr. Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 envisaged inclusive development, benefiting farmers, women, and youth, she said. Rejecting the claims of opposition parties that the BJP was anti-Dalit, she pointed to the expansion of welfare programmes, representation in top offices, and SC-focused policies. 'Despite malicious propaganda, people trust Mr. Modi's leadership,' she asserted.
Defending the government's constitutional amendments as pro-people, she denounced the Congress for historically disrespecting Dr. Ambedkar and his ideals. 'Only the BJP has respected and implemented Dr. Ambedkar's vision,' she claimed.
Earlier, the executive meeting decided to pay tributes to Shyama Prasad Mukherjee on June 23 (observed by the party as Balidan Diwas) and undertake a special plantation drive to mark the imposition of Emergency, encouraging citizens to plant a sapling in their mother's name.
Ms. Purandeswari also expressed delight that Andhra Pradesh secured two Guinness records on International Day of Yoga, and described it as a proud moment for the State.
The meeting was chaired by SC Morcha State president Gudise Devanand. Ms. Purandeswari, SC Morcha national secretaries S. Kumar and P.S. Ashok, BJP State general secretaries B. Sivannarayana and P. Nagabhushanam, and former MLA D. Sambayya were among others who participated.
