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Bharatiya Janata Party

National Executive Meeting

LUCKNOW – June 3-4, 2011

Presidential Address

by

Shri Nitin Gadkari

President, Bharatiya Janata Party

Respected Advani ji, senior colleagues on the dais,

and delegate brothers and sisters,

At the outset, I welcome you all at this meeting of the National Executive being held on the banks of Gomati, here at Lucknow. This is the city of Laxman, who did set an ideal of what fraternity is. He was an illustrious brother. He was a true embodiment of qualities like sacrifice, commitment and devotion. These are the qualities that form the cornerstone of any organisational edifice. This is also the great city of several men of letters, poets like Kavi Nirala, thinkers and social workers.

Laxman was the real strength of Lord Ram. While in Lucknow, just about a few kilometers away from Ayodhya, we have an occasion to rededicate ourselves to the ideals of Ram and strive for bringing about a true Rama Rajya. We are committed to build a grand temple of Ram at Ayodhya. We rededicate ourselves to the cause of establishing a Ram Rajya; in Uttar Pradesh, and in the entire country.

Atalji’s Karmabhoomi

Lucknow was the karmabhoomi of Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay, Bhaurao Deoras, Nanaji Deshmukh and Sundersingh Bhandari ji and others. I pay my respects to all these departed leaders.

While in Lucknow, we are all missing our great leader Adarniya Atalji. While we pray for his speedy recovery and good health, we also resolve to walk relentlessly on the path shown by him. In the true sense, he is a politician who continues to be Ajatshatru… an individual who can never have any enemy!

Atalji’s creativity had multiple facets. We believe that his speeches, poems and writings form a part of our national heritage. In order to preserve this heritage and pass it on to the new generation, we have decided to support Samagra Atalji, a project for compilation and preservation of all his works. On 8^th June, a grand function to launch this project will be held in Delhi and you will be separately informed about this.

Good Governance

We are not remembering Atalji simply because we are here in Lucknow. For us Atalji remains a source of inspiration. I have always believed that Patriotism and Nationalism, Good Governance, Development and Antyodaya are the four corner stones of our functional philosophy. Atalji’s life and work symbolizes all these four mainstays of our ideology.

For us, Good Governance and Ram Rajya are synonymous. For this very reason, the Good Governance exhibition that we have put up here is named as Ram Rajya ki Or.  It is a matter of great pride for all of us that all our BJP and NDA ruled states are performing very well on the front of all-inclusive development. From environment to women’s empowerment and from education to infrastructure, our State governments are scaling new heights. Recently, we had organised a two-day conclave of all BJP Chief Ministers. Deliberations at this conference mainly focused on greater transparency and accountability. But we also took stock of the situation pertaining to different development parameters. We are not claiming that we have done everything that we want to. We have to work even harder in future. But yes, I must say that on development issues like employment generation, school enrolment and saving the girl child, BJP-NDA governments are performing far better than others. There are innumerable challenges in marching ahead on this path of development. However, I am confident that we can write many success stories with our performing chief ministers, ministers and other elected representatives. We have a track record of Good Governance. We have a conviction that our commitment to the people strengthens our resolve.

Brothers and sisters, I have to attract your attention to yet another important issue that was raised very forcefully at the recently held Conclave of Chief Ministers. The issue is UPA’s continued attacks on federalism. From Gujarat to Sikkim and Bihar to Tamil Nadu states are suffering from the UPA’s anti-federal assault. The Congress has no respect for Federalism. The very grain of Congress culture is excessively centralization oriented. Historically, the Congress party’s interference in the states lies at the root of the emergence of many regional parties. In fact India’s political map is now a testimony to the fact that individuals who desert Congress gain popular support and come to power. The Congress has always believed in perpetuating its political influence by misusing the powers vested in the Central Government to interfere in state governments. Delayed clearance of Bills passed by Legislatures, step-motherly treatment to Opposition ruled states, especially BJP-ruled states while allocating funds, misusing institutions like CBI for political vendetta, and taking a partisan approach even in issues like humanitarian help and rehabilitation are only some examples of UPA’s assaults on federalism. We will be passing a resolution on this issue and hence I will not elaborate this further here.

Recent elections

Friends, I am aware that our performance in the recently concluded elections was less than our expectations. We are disappointed and we are in the process of analysing these results. We had some intrinsic limitations. And yet, I must say we fought these elections with all seriousness. The results are only an indication that we have to work even harder to make our presence felt in these states. In Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal we have marginally improved our vote share and in Assam we have maintained the same vote share. In Assam, while we have improved our performance in new areas, our vote share has marginally gone down in our traditional bases. Also, the victory of Congress in Assam is mainly thanks to a divided alternative. In Puducherry, we have to do a lot. Here, I must also point out the success that we have achieved in several by-elections held recently in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and some other states.

 

Friends, the situation in the country calls for our all-time preparedness. I will be visiting all the five states where elections took place recently. I will interact with party workers and listen to the office bearers about the lessons that we have to learn from these elections.

Two Years of the UPA

The performance of UPA 2 has been dismal, to say the least. The government is passing through mid-term blues. It has lost direction. There is drift all around and the decision-making is all paralysed. Here is a Prime Minister who presides over the Cabinet but is shy of taking the responsibility of the decisions. For example, how can he say that he was not aware of the antrix -Dewas deal? If he is not aware, who is aware? This government has a unique feature. While the Prime Minister is a classic case of Office without performance, the National Advisory Council has promoted power without accountability.

In the 1970s, the Congress under Shrimati Indira Gandhi had given the slogan of Garibi Hatao. Today, her grandchildren are also giving the same slogan. Congress must either admit its failure or accept that it is fooling the people for decades. Today, UPA has declared all those who earn Rs. 21 per day, to be rich. May I ask Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi as to what one gets in Rs.21? Let me warn the UPA leadership that just by changing the definition of poverty the ground reality is not going to change.

UPA 2 is being seen as a government that is just not development-friendly. The pace of development has remarkably slowed down especially in the last few years. Is it not a fact that right after the UPA took over, the pace of development has gone down? Why do a number of development-related issues continue to be ignored by the UPA? During the NDA period, we had built new roads at a pace of 11 km per day but under the UPA this pace of progress has slowed down by at least 50 per cent. Due to crass mis-governance and corruption the climate for development is fast becoming negative. Our country is no more an attractive destination for foreign investors. The foreign institutional investors (FIIs) who pumped in $29.36 billion in calendar year 2010 have curtailed their inflows during the current calendar year to just $10-15 billion. This means that the inflows in 2011 are not even expected to be half that of last year. Even Indian industrialists have started shifting a portion of their balance sheet, some time of even their core businesses to overseas destinations purely because it is simpler and easier to do business there. As for infrastructure development, the huge backlog continues. Let’s take the example of renewable energy. In this sector we have become a laughing stock, despite having the best solar and wind energy options.

The second critical issue is that of rising unemployment. Several economists have pointed out that jobs are being lost. During the last seven years the nation has witnessed how the economy of surpluses has been reduced to one of shortages. The strength of a nation comes from Economic Prosperity. Economic Prosperity is in peril when inflation is out of control and the Government lacks the political will for reforms. A strong India needs a strong government in Delhi that has the political will to take tough decisions. Under the UPA, bad governance, coupled with wrong economic policies, has given impetus to large-scale corruption.

Celebrating non-performance and corruption?

Recently the UPA celebrated its second anniversary. But I fail to understand what exactly they were celebrating. Was it not a celebration of lost opportunities? Were they pleased to find that India is no more an attractive destination for foreign investors? Were they delighted to know that Transparency International has further downgraded our country on the count of rampant corruption? The UPA’s celebration was a stark reminder of the danger that those in the government who know that the third anniversary is unlikely to happen, will start grabbing whatever they can -- like 2 year olds at a birthday party, stuffing as much cake as they can into their mouths.

It would be an understatement to say that the UPA 2 is both listless and adrift at its second anniversary. Right since the beginning, they have been tom-toming the idea of inclusive growth. In reality, growth has been reserved only for their Cabinet Ministers’ assets! Never before has Tihar Jail been home to so many personalities who are close to the party in power. UPA’s only contribution has been unlimited growth in corruption, and commodity prices. Besides these two, their track record on other fronts is extremely poor. Now, UPA leaders are talking of probity. But, had we not raised the issue of scandal after scandal in Parliament and made people aware of them, this United Perversion Alliance would not have paid even lip service to probity.

We are happy that some voluntary organisations are also now taking lead in this fight against corruption. All sections of the society will have to strive for that. But, let’s not forget that it was the BJP that raised and consistently followed up on this issue in the Parliament and amongst the people.

UPA leadership owes answers to the people as to how broad daylight robberies whether in 2G or in Commonwealth Games preparations were allowed to happen in the first place? Not even a child would believe that when A Raja and Suresh Kalmadi were indulging in corruption, the Prime Minister was simply unaware of it. Instead of cooperating with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), UPA tried to put every possible obstacle in the process of enquiry. What happened in the PAC episode was politicisation of parliamentary procedures. Sadly, both the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party too supported Congress and shaped a coalition of the corrupt. In order to expose this Coalition of the Corrupt, I am asking three pertinent questions to Congress, Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan samaj Party –

A Corruption Free India

Friends, it has been our long cherished dream as also a solemn commitment to make India free from Terror, Hunger and Corruption – which is Bhay aur Atank, Bhookh, Bhrashtachar-mukt Samaj. As far as corruption is concerned, we have to make people aware of our significant efforts to eradicate these. I have always been making a fervent appeal to all to not to look at politics as a device for money making. If all those in politics introspect and revisit their motivation behind joining politics, I am sure people will try to shun corrupt practices. It has been my understanding that for eradication of corruption, on the one hand, we have to continue our efforts for promoting values-based thinking through Vyakti Nirmaan, development of human character. Our emphasis on shaping mindsets and cultivating values like integrity and purposefulness through training as well as our programmes like Antyodaya are aimed Vyakti Nirman. On the other hand we have to try and make governance and all our public dealings transparent and open. Effective mechanisms for greater accountability and audit are also necessary and we have insisted on them in our deliberations at the Chief Ministers’ Conclave held recently. Once again, I appeal very earnestly to all our workers to understand the real importance of training and programmes like Antyodaya and help everyone remind his or her own self about our motivation for joining politics. Let us not forget that for us politics is basically a tool for serving the society.

In our Chief Ministers’ Conclave, we also discussed greater use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) for combating corruption. Devices like e-tendering, e-procurement, e-disbursal of scholarships and other monetary benefits, etc plays an important role in eradication of corruption. Several of our governments are already implementing them. Besides, the two identical legislations recently passed by the Madhya Pradesh and Bihar governments namely Lok Sewa Guarantee Act and Special Courts Act are also an important step towards bringing in greater transparency and accountability.

Friends, a committee under the guidance of Shri. Advani ji is already looking into the wider subject of Electoral Reforms. Insofar as other systemic reforms required for eradication of corruption are concerned, I am suggesting a five-point agenda comprising practicable action points. I appeal that we should be taking the following five-point agenda to the people and earn popular support for it in a big way. These points are as follows:

Divide and Rule Politics

The Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill, 2011, prepared by the National Advisory Council (NAC), and cleared by its chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi is the most dangerous legislative initiative taken by the UPA government so far. Nothing lays bare the Congress party’s poisonous agenda of Divide and Rule politics more starkly than this bill. This bill, if it becomes law, will permanently stigmatise the majority community as the perpetrator of all incidents of communal violence, irrespective of the facts of the case, and hold members of a minority community to be always innocent victims. The punitive provisions under this bill are so draconian and all-encompassing that no common Hindu citizen and no Hindu organisation can feel safe from false and motivated complaints, especially since the identity of the complainant is meant to be kept secret and all cases filed under this law would be cognizable non-bailable. No less bizarre is the fact that even if a member of a minority community commits communally inspired murders in broad daylight, he cannot be booked under this law.

During the nationwide debate on terrorism, and especially when Parliament was debating the need for an effective anti-terror law, all political parties agreed that terrorism should not be equated with any particular religion or community. However, the basic premise of the Communal Violence Bill, as prepared by NAC, is that it equates communalism and communal violence with the majority community. This approach is blatantly and incontrovertibly anti-Hindu. In no civilized nation can there be a law that is so self-evidently discriminatory – and no proud and secular Indian should tolerate this.

Let me point it out here that the NAC functions directly under the Prime Minister’s Office, but its chairperson is more powerful than the Prime Minister himself. NAC has no Constitutional sanction and is not accountable to Parliament. Another dangerous dimension of NAC’s communal violence bill is that it further allows the Centre to encroach upon the powers of State governments. I appeal to all the Chief Ministers, especially non-Congress Chief Ministers, to register strong protest against this bill and urge the Prime Minister to give it a deep burial. Lets remember that the constitution makers have envisaged a Common Civil Code. While the dithering of government on that front continues, we now have the danger of a separate criminal code too.

I appeal all of you to take this issue to the people and make them aware of the Congress party’s evil designs of continuing in power through Politics of Divide and Rule.

The Naxal threat is yet another issue where this government continues to give conflicting signals. The UPA is felicitating those who are convicted in the court of law. Let me ask the UPA leaders one question. Will they show the courage to make public an Intelligence Bureau Report on Dr. Vinayak Sen?

The condition of farmers

As we have been saying, there are scores of examples of how wrong economic policies and bad governance has afflicted the lives of people. Year after year, our farmers are producing bumper crops but this government has no foresight and planning to make arrangements for proper storage. In some states, school buildings are being used for storing food grains. Even after the strictures coming from the Supreme Court this government has not woken up. Last year over 58000 tonnes of food grains were allowed to rotten. I am afraid this year again we will see food grains allowed to rot and the underprivileged sections once again facing the challenge of hunger.

About cotton export, this government continues to dither. In fact the interests of the farmers have never been at the core of the entire import-export policy regime of this government. As a consequence, agriculture is becoming more and more unattractive as a profession leading to increase in the number of farmers committing suicide.

Land Acquisition

The question of acquiring farmland for development has already become a hot issue. We have already expressed our solidarity with the agitating farmers in Uttar Pradesh more specifically of Bhatta-Parsol. Our leaders including Smt. Sushma Swaraj ji, Shri. Arun Jaitley Ji, Shri. Rajnath Ji, Shri. Sahi Ji, and Shri. Kalraj Mishra Ji as well as other senior leaders have already given voice to their agony. In so far as the question of land acquisition is concerned, I must share some of my concepts with you. We have to remember that rehabilitation of the landowners has to be an integral part of the land development policy. The issue of land acquisition calls for a holistic approach. Subjects like the quantum of land, socio-economic and cultural impact of acquisition, and human aspects of the process also merit a serious attention. On this backdrop I place before you the following four points for further discussion. These four points are—

a.      Purchase of farmlands for development projects for a price that is above the prevailing market value.

b.      Provision for annuity or equity to the land owners

c.      Employment to at least one member of the land owner family in the development project

d.      Giving back adequate share of developed land back to the land owners

e.      Proper relief and rehabilitation for the farm workers affected by the land acquisition.

Price Rise and the Neglect of alternate energy sources!

Since there is no commitment to reforms, this government often switches to shortcuts. During the last none months, prices of fuel have been raised nine times. This has affected aam admi the most in whose name UPA asked for votes in several elections held in the recent past.

The UPA government talks of its concern for the aam aadmi. But all its policies and decisions are an assault on the livelihoods and living conditions of the aam aadmi. Last month, it increased the price of petrol by Rs. 5 per litre. A hike in diesel price is imminent. Since assuming office in 2004, UPA has increased per-litre petrol price by Rs. 23 The government can always reduce the taxes on fuels to give some respite to the people and but has always refused to consider this suggestion.  Needless to say this will further add to inflation and prices of essential commodities are bound to see a steep rise.

It is now more obvious than ever before that Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who claims to be an economist, has policies that hurt the poor and middle classes and help only the affluent sections.

His failure is also evident in the fact that, in the last seven years, the UPA government has done very little to promote non-conventional energy sources in an aggressive way. India is a land where the resources for solar energy and energy based on biomass are abundant. Widespread use of biomass for energy would be a boon to our farmers. From India’s long-term energy security and national security points of view, we cannot afford to remain dependent on imported fossil fuel. We must become self-reliant to the maximum extent for our energy needs.

Where the Congress has failed the nation, the BJP has shown the way. Recently, we had met the Prime minister in a delegation and urged him to ensure speedy and effective implememntation of the national policy on Bio fuels. For effective implementation of bio fuels programme in mission mode across the country a permanent institutional setup needs to be created. We have already demanded setting up of bio fuel development board / authority, at the Center & also in all the states. BJP ruled states such as Karnataka and Chhattisgarh have already set an example in this regard.

Situation in UP

Friends, we will be discussing an independent resolution on the situation in Uttar Pradesh and hence I will not elaborate on that. But I must point out that our UP unit has galvanized the Party organisation and raised issues of people’s concern very aggressively. During the last couple of months, we have taken to the streets on certain issues and our workers have braved police Lathi Charge on several occasions. We will have to continue with this aggressive activism. Let me reiterate at this occasion that in UP we rule out any alliance with BSP or SP. Both these parties are hand in glove when it comes to supporting the Congress. We will make voters aware of their doublespeak. Delhi mein dosti aur Lucknow mein Noora Kushti is the game plan of Congress, SP and BSP. We will not allow them to fool the people anymore with this Nautanki. Our aim in UP is to replace the prevailing Gunda Raj and Jungle Raj with Ram Rajya. The choice before the people in UP is between the nationalism of BJPs and the opportunism of SP-BSP-Congress combine.

Why is it that despite the Congress ruling at the Centre and both the BSP and SP supporting the Congress in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh has lost out to other states in influencing the direction of the country? So when we talk of Good Governance for Uttar Pradesh, we are talking about restoring Uttar Pradesh’s place of pride in India as the largest and the most influential state. We will bring back the lost glory to Uttar Pradesh. It is very sad that while most other states that were earlier known as Bimaru states are fast progressing and shedding the Bimaru tag, UP continues to be underdeveloped. UP requires a performing government and we will give the same.

Terrorism

Terrorism continues to be a serious threat to our sovereignty. But we are aghast by the callous approach of the UPA government. Repeated mistakes in the list of most wanted terrorists prepared by the government is a matter of national shame. This has lowered our prestige in the comity of nations. This singular incident shows as to how the lack of responsibility – and that too on an issue of such high sensitivity--- has reached its nadir under the UPA.

The trial in Chicago over the 2008 attacks in Mumbai once again reminds us how the Government of India has failed to bring to Justice Pakistan-based masterminds of terrorist attacks. India cannot remain a mute spectator as events in our neighborhood spiral out of our control. Those who had masterminded the Mumbai attack must realise that the anti-India designs have now boomeranged. A strong India requires a Government that will engage with world on its own terms to advance its interests and values both in its immediate neighborhood and across the globe.

A strong India also requires a Government that will never flinch from the long and arduous task of reforming our Internal Security apparatus.

The Situation in Pakistan

The situation in Pakistan is a matter of global concern. It has become a radicalized state. It is clear that the control of nuclear establishments in Pakistan is in rogue hands. The alarming prospect of Talibani groups becoming capable of assembling a “dirty” nuclear bomb is now a reality. The situation is so alarming that it may bring in regional instability.

Instead of mounting a fierce diplomatic offensive to declare Pakistan a “Terrorist State” and ISI a “Terrorist Organisation” the Manmohan Singh Government is bending backwards to engage the Pakistani Establishment in fruitless dialogue. Reneging on the UPA Manifesto’s (2009) commitment not to talk to Pakistan till visible progress is made on handing over the criminals of 26/11 to India, the Government has resumed the dialogue and has even agreed to discuss Baluchistan. We wonder which Pakistan the Indian Government is trying to talk to? Is it the Talibanised section? Is it the ISI? Is it the Military Establishment? Or is the ineffective civilian government, which exists only in name? This charade must stop. India cannot credibly demand that Pakistan be declared a “Terrorist State” while simultaneously engaging in a dialogue with it.

The Government must immediately demand from Islamabad: (a) Handing over the culprits of 26/11 who are roaming around freely in that country, (b) Prompt action to locate and hand over persons named by India for causing various terrorist crimes in this country, including those guilty of the Mumbai carnage of 1993 and (c) No dialogue with Pakistan till Islamabad dismantles the entire terrorist infrastructure operating from its soil against India.

We need to address the Sino-Indian border issues with a sense of urgency, although not in haste. This has remained as the longest continuing border dispute anywhere in the world. The continuing presence of Chinese relief and rehabilitation workers in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and the proposed naval bases in Sri Lanka are a cause for our concern.

We should show greater political will in using India’s economic potential for enabling our move to the global centre stage. We have to make special effort to use the people of Indian origin all over the world to promote Indian business better. We have to leverage this factor better. India Inc can also, to an extent, serve as our goodwill ambassadors in promoting friendship and strengthening ties.

From Guwahati to Lucknow

Friends, we had met in Guwahati early this year. Between Guwahati and Lucknow, our party organisation has marched ahead on several fronts. Our Panchayati Raj cell together with the Good Governance Cell had conducted a two-day convention of all our 110 Zilla Panchayat Presidents, very successfully in Chitrakoot. While our cells working on Water Management, Artisan, RTI and Human Rights have started their multi-dimensional activities, our new initiatives are also taking a good shape. We had a very successful conference of advocates about two weeks before here in Lucknow. Besides, the newly formed Bharatiya Janata Mazdoor Mahasangh also has started its activities in right earnestness. On the front of Antyodaya, we had a training workshop on social and community service projects in urban slum areas. On the training front, we have completed the primary level training of over 28000 party workers from across the country. We have now started preparing for the higher-level training and we hope that we can start it in July next.

Our Parliamentary Party is also engaged in multiple activities. Under the guidance of Shri. L K Advani ji, Smt. Sushma Swaraj Ji and Shri. Arun Jaitley ji have together taken a number of initiatives for enhancing the quality of the performance of our Parliamentarians. Recently, in Bihar, a two-day workshop for all our newly elected legislatures was organised very successfully.

Delegate brothers and sisters, we are here in Lucknow to deliberate upon issues and understand the challenges ahead. In the coming year we will have to face assembly elections in Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur followed by Uttar Pradesh and Goa. Besides, municipal corporations in big cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Lucknow will also go for elections. We will have to renew our mandate where we are in power and regain the popular confidence where we are not. For that, what is required is our proactive approach. We have to be reaching out to the people, redress their grievances and present BJP to them as a party that has an alternate vision for development. Earlier, we had prepared Vision Documents in Maharashtra and Assam. Now, we have drawn plans for preparing Vision Document for Uttar Pradesh. We should churn out issues, evolve a commonality of approach and share our futuristic thinking with the people. People must realise that we are not just any other political party. We are not in politics to become “Also ran…” politicians. We have to make our mark, win the hearts of the electorate and seek popular mandate. While going back to our places from Uttar Pradesh, we have to go with answers to every question. Let’s go back with utmost clarity of thought and a firm resolve to win popular confidence.

Today people expect a political party to be seen everywhere. Our presence has to be seen on the streets, in service activities, in intellectual seminars, televisions debates and even in newspapers. To make it happen, we have to enhance our capacities manifold.

Several of our organisational and other activities and ideas are unique and hardly any other political party is working on these lines. But to reach out to the masses with this uniqueness of our Party, we have to be organisationally proactive. We have to be communicative. I wonder whether we share all the positive developments in our Party with even our family members, our relatives. Friends, let us remember that if we do not try to understand our Party well and take pride in the uniqueness of our political journey, we will not be able to build upon the same. All of us have to turn the searchlight inward and give ourselves an account of how we have contributed to the cause of the Party. We have to read more, study and understand issues, take up the cause of the underprivileged, use modern ways of activism and establish our credentials.

Friends, Lucknow has played a key role in the History of our Party. Lucknow was and continues to be a vibrant centre of activity for our entire ideological movement. Although Jana Sangh was formally established in Delhi, several informal meetings prior to that happened here. Deendayal Ji, Nanaji Deshmukh and Atalji had conducted important deliberations here. Naturally then, when we go from here we have to take the inspirational message of this land and spread it across. In the next year, we will be celebrating the 150^th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Swamiji has always inspired all of us. I urge upon you to take this opportunity and spread the message of national renaissance given by Swami Vivekananda through a series of programmes right up to the district levels and even beyond.

In Lucknow today, on the banks of Gomati; let us make a resolve that we will do everything to consolidate the rich heritage of our Party. This is the 60^th year of the formation of Jana Sangh. Let this solemn occasion make us remember the sacrifice of our past leaders like Dr. Shyamaprasad Mookherjee, Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay, Nanaji Deshmukh, Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Sunder Singh Bhandari, Kushabhau Thackrey and several others. The month of June reminds us about the supreme sacrifice of Dr. Mookherjee. Decades ago, it was during this month that several of us went behind the bars for the cause of democracy when emergency was imposed.

Friends, I sincerely believe that the destiny has bestowed upon us a great responsibility. I have no doubt, we will go back from here with more confidence, enhanced levels of enthusiasm, and a renewed resolve to serve the society through our unique political activism. Remember, if we take care of the present, the future is all ours.

Bharat Mata Ki jai!