GRAND LOTUS CONGREGATION IN MADURAI
5TH STATE CONFERENCE OF BJP IN TAMIL NADU
- V Shanmuganathan
More than 2 lakh people attended the day long assembly in the temple town Madurai on 10th May, 2012. The massive turnout of people across the state had made the Tamil Nadu unit of BJP to become a formidable player in state politics.
The BJP was focused as a party to preserve the specialties of Tamil language, literature, culture, and its greatness. It organized exhibition, music and dance programmes in the venue.
The sate President, Pon. Radhakrishnan, called upon the workers to take up the challenge of being an alternative to the two major Dravidian parties. He hoped that the conference would be a turning point in the state politics.
Leaders of the state L. Ganesan, C P Radhakrishanan, H Raja, and many more people attacked the rule of DMK for the failure to protect of the interests of Tamils in Sri Lanka. Bus fare revision and poor power supply management of the present government was also criticized.
P Murlidhar Rao, National Secretary, said the party’s objective is to organize the next conference in Chennai while holding the reins of power in Fort. St. George. If the BJP became powerful in Tamil Nadu, there would not be any challenge from divisive forces in the form of bomb threats and blasts.
The state unit of the medical cell, guided by Dr. Rajendiran and Dr. V. Aravinda Reddy organized, medical test for diabetes by eminent diabetologists for one lakh people.
BJP IS NOT A MOTHER-SON PARTY
All India BJP President Shri Nitin Gadkari came to the conference venue along with all India organizing secretary Shri Ram Lalji and V. Satish.
He hoisted the flag at the venue of the conference and lighted the kuthuvilakku (Lamp) placed in front of the majestic Meenakshi Devi statue on diaz.
Shri Nitin Gadkari, appreciated the state president and his team of office bearers for the huge gathering of people inside the conference hall and outside. Shri Nitin Gadkari, spoke in a thundered voice, and said that the “Bad Time” for the Congress had started and BJP led alliance will capture power in the next Lok Sabha elections.
The country is suffering because of rising prices, growing unemployment, declining exports, corruption and poverty. This miserable situation is created by Congress led UPA.
The wrong economic policies and corruption are making people’s life miserable. BJP is working hard to set right the situation. The Vajpayee-led NDA government had envisaged a 12% growth rate and ensured 9% but this has decreased to 5.5% under UPA rule. Congress party and its southern ally DMK did not do anything to prevent the killings of Tamils in Sri Lanka during the ethnic strife and attacks on fishermen from Tamil Nadu.
Gadkari said he had told Colombo that addressing these issues was of primary importance for cordial relationship between the two countries.
He made a dig at the Congress and said that the BJP is not a mother-son or father-son party. Anyone can grow through the ranks to reach the top. Citing his own example, he said he had risen from being a grass root worker to being party chief. He charged the Congress Party for trying to conspire to distance the BJP from minorities, especially Muslims, by branding it as communal and anti-muslim. Gadkari said, the party is beyond any such divisions and recalled the candidature of APJ Abdul Kalam being proposed for presidential poll earlier.
He lauded the governance initiatives of states ruled by BJP or its allies like Gujarat, Karnataka, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab on various fronts including Agriculture, Electricity, power supply, water management and women empowerment.
After his speech, noon food was served to lakhs of people who attended the conference in a buffee pattern through various counters.
TOTAL BAN ON CONVERSIONS
Shri LK Advaniji, Smt. Sushma Swaraj and Shri Venkaiah Naidu came to the venue of conference in the afternoon session.
M. Venkaiah Naidu charged the UPA for failing on all fronts including economy and security. He promised to spend 60% of the budgetary allocations on agriculture, if voted to power. Naidu said BJP will impose “total ban” on religious conversions besides dealing terrorism with an “iron hand”. He also said Ramsetu would be declared a national heritage.
ENTIRE NATION IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE PLIGHTS OF TAMILS IN SRILANKA
Smt. Sushma Swaraj spoke about her recent visit to Sri Lanka. In no uncertain terms she said, that the unity and integrity of Sri Lanka be respected the way India’s unity and integrity were respected. She questioned, why, when Sri Lanka’s respected Tamil leader R Sampanthan says that he wanted Tamils to remain in a united Sri Lanka, certain leaders in Tamil Nadu want to promote Tamil separatism for Sri Lanka. Her statement was an obvious attack on M. Karunanidhy, the DMK leader who recently said that Sri Lanka should be divided to carve out a separate state called Tamil Eelam. She also criticized both DMK and AIADMK for not joining them in their fact finding mission to Sri Lanka and pointed out Sri Lanka made no restrictions whatsoever in meeting all people displaced by the war and the people told them all grievances without any hindrance.
She asserted that it was not a picnic for the MPs, she said the panel insisted on visiting the internally displaced people who were kept in camps. “We told them that their visit would have no purpose at all, if they were not allowed to meet the affected Tamils, she said.
Regretting that a newspaper had belittled the visit by carrying a photograph of Ms. Swaraj receiving a gift from the Sri Lankan President, she said the Indian panel had to show some diplomatic courtesy. “I received it as a representative of the country and not as an individual. The gifts have been deposited with parliamentary treasurary. I have not taken it”. Finally she said, “The mission was successful. We have made it clear to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapksa that it is not just Tamil Nadu that is bothered about the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils, but the entire nation is concerned about them.”
HUGE GATHERING
Senior party leader L K Advani traced the evolution of the party. He said from being one of the four recognized political parties after the 1952 general elections, it had grown to become strong alternative force to the Congress party. “Any party, like an army fighting a battle, should have besides good Generals and Commanders, a sound strategy and a clear vision. Dr. Shyam Prasad Mukherjee, Deendayal Upadhyaya and former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee were the Generals who had brought the party to what it is today, ensuring a bi-polar polity. The party had fought the denial of equal rights for Indian citizens in J & K as guaranteed by the constitution. Later the BJP formed a strategy to fight the mighty Congress that was posing a danger to democracy. BJP sought support from all the non-congress parties. Challenging the Congress party’s hegemony was one of the party’s biggest achievment. As part of BJP’s effort to break the Congress stronghold, it had carefully “built” relationship with leders including late Jai Prakash Narain, Ram Manohar Lohia and Morarji Desai. On the Yatra undertaken by him, were efforts to promote “Genuine Secularism”. He said that India can become a super power only when there is a government known for good governance that promoted welfare of the common man and ensured the security of the country in all respects. BJP is the party aiming to bring happiness in life of common people and make Bharath as super power. First time, I am seeing such a mammoth gathering of audience, which has crossed six digits of numbers. I am happy that Tamil Nadu has started to respond and support BJP very well.”
Thus the conference generated hope and confidence in the mind of the large gathering of workers, admirers, supporters and new entrants of BJP.
V Shanmuganathan
11, Ashoka Road,
NEW DELHI-110001
Email id: vsnathan7666@gmail.com
Mob: 09811432960
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
Smt. Sushma Swaraj Led Parliamentary Delegation to Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan Ethnic Problem Needs A Political Solution
- V Shanmuganathan
The 12 member Indian delegation headed by the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Smt. Sushma Swaraj along with MPs from Congress, BJP, CPM, SP, BJD and JDU (U) visited Sri Lanka between April 16 - 21, 2012.
The purpose of the visit was to see the progress made since the end of the armed struggle in May 2009. They wanted to interact with, wide range of people, members of civil society and political parties. The aim was to get a first hand information with regard to reconciliation and rehabilitation of Tamils displaced by the war. It is a sincere attempt to find a way forward to achieve a lasting peace in Sri Lanka.
SRI LANKAN Tamil issue is very emotive. Five members of the delegation were from Tamil Nadu. Two major political parties from Tamil Nadu, both AIADMK and DMK pulled out of the visit sighting some objections.
Jayalalitha, slammed the “anti-Tamil” approach of Sri Lankan government for the rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Tamils, the Sri Lankan fishermen and Colombo’s recent objections to Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant on grounds of radiation threats. DMK, a constituent of the UPA, decided to withdraw from the delegation in the last minute.
In spite of the boycott of the two major Dravidian Parties, the delegation have done a fairly good job, bringing back the focus on the post war issues to end the sufferings of Tamils and their resettlement with employment and decent life with dignity and honour.
Political Process
Sri Lankan Tamil’s humiliations are spoken in many political platforms. The Tamils in Sri Lanka have faced many discriminations and suffered lot more for a very long period of time, causing severe ethnic conflict.
In fact, this delegation has done a more credible job than the previous one, belonging to DMK, Congress and Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi which visited Sri Lanka during October 2009. Smt. Sushma Swaraj, highly talented and experienced leader of the opposition in Parliament from the BJP, led the delegation and had a clear agenda focusing on current issues that are emerging India-Sri Lanka relations.
The BJP is very much concerned about the plight of the Sri Lankan Tamils and wanted India to take a strong stand on some of the basic issues. Every member who participated in the delegation wanted Sri Lankan government to bring a broad based solution with an inclusive approach.
The delegation called on President Mahindra Rajapakse. They had extensive discussions with several ministers, key leaders of major political parties and representatives of civil society. The delegation travelled to different parts of Sri Lanka, especially to North and East, where the Tamils are recovering from the trauma of nearly three decades of armed conflict.
They visited several sites of Indian- aided projects, including railway projects in the North and the South, the housing project, Kankesanthurai Harbour and some of the schools, hospitals and vocational training centers being revived with Indian assistance.
Reconstruction And Rehabilitation
The committee met several top Sri Lankan leaders including Tamil National Alliance leader R. Sambandan and others. The main objective of visiting several sites was to understand feelings of Tamils and give solace to the war victims. The committee made an overall observation about the implementation of programmes being carried out with over Rs.25,000 crores of Indian assistance.
India’s humanitarian assistance, housing, education, public health, revival of agriculture and other livelihood activities, gave immense satisfaction to the suffering Tamil people. Smt. Sushma Swaraj handed over the upgraded coastal railway line to Sri Lanka. It was completed ahead of schedule by the Indian Public sector company, IRCON, at a cost of 167.4 million dollars.
While speaking at the function, Smt. Sushma Swaraj said, “I am honored to hand over the completed section of the railway track between Galle and Kautara.”
These projects serve to underline Indian’s commitment, in peace, stability and harmony in Sri Lanka to address the needs of the war affected people and the restoration of normalcy to their lives.
Political Empowerment
The delegation clearly spelled out its views on the political reconciliation process. It suggested Sri Lanka should seize the opportunity and follow an enlightened approach to reach a genuine political solution based on a meaningful devolution of powers, which takes into account the legitimate needs of the Tamil people for equality, dignity, justice and self respect.
The end of the armed conflict has provided a historic opportunity for moving towards national reconciliation and political settlement. The Lessons Learnt and reconciliation commission (LLRC) has underlined this and has made a number of Constructive recommendations for addressing issues related to healing the wounds of the conflict and fostering a process of lasting peace and political settlement in Sri Lanka.
It is important that these are pursued with a sense of urgency. This is the message that the delegation of Indian Parliamentarians have conveyed Srilanka during their course of the visit.
Mr.NSV Chithan, Mr. M. Krishnaswamy, Mr. E.M. Sudarsana Nachippan and Mr. Manik Tagore all from Congress party termed the visit as fruitful. They said that there is a sense of fear amongst the Tamils in some areas in Sri Lanka. The Community is under constant watch by the Sri Lankan army and they had asked the island nation’s government there to call back the army. According to Mr. Natchppan, the MPs delegation visited various places in Sri Lanka including the Menik farm where the Tamil are lodged. He said that the number of people lodged in the Menik Camp is around 6000 down from 2,50,00. They said that the Sri Lankan government has assured them that the remaining inmates would be resettled soon.
The team members expressed a sincere hope that the government of Sri Lanka will seize the window of opportunity and follow an enlightened approach to reach a genuine political reconciliation, based on a meaningful devolution of powers, which takes into account the legitimate needs of the Tamil people for equality, dignity, justice and self-respect. They have been assured in the past that this will be done within the framework of “Thirteenth Amendment-Plus”. Indian delegation urged the government of Srilanka and other stake holders, including the Tamil National Alliance, to resume dialogue and move towards an early political settlement.
Demilitarization
Indian Parliamentary delegation has listed the items still outstanding in Srilanka’s post war recovery.
1) The need for expeditious implementation of the measures proposed by the LLRC with regard to information on missing persons and detainees.
2) Investigation of cases of disappearance and objections.
3) Reduction of high security zones.
4) Return of the private lands by the military and demilitarization, including phasing out of the involvement of the security forces in civilian activities and restoration of the civilian administration in the northern province.
5) Withdrawal of security forces from community life and confine their role to security matters.
After completing the intense tour of Sri Lanka, the team came back to Delhi. I met Smt. Sushma Swaraj and asked about the overall impact of the trip. She said, “The delegation visited Srilanka with a definite mission and purpose to bring peace. From morning 6 am to night 11 pm we were moving from one end of Sri Lanka to the other. We visited Colombo, Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Kankesanthurai, Batticola and many more areas. We met top most people of government, various Tamil leaders and ordinary people of Sri Lanka. I am happy to note that our relations are moving ahead in a comprehensive manner. We insisted for demilitarization and political settlement. I have a sincere hope that Tamils will be rehabilitated in a dignified manner with political empowerment.”
Hopefully, peace and political contentment will prevail in Sri Lanka.
V Shanmuganathan
11, Ashoka Road,
NEW DELHI-110001
Email id: vsnathan7666@gmail.com
Mob: 09811432960
Sri Lankan Ethnic Problem Needs A Political Solution
- V Shanmuganathan
The 12 member Indian delegation headed by the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Smt. Sushma Swaraj along with MPs from Congress, BJP, CPM, SP, BJD and JDU (U) visited Sri Lanka between April 16 - 21, 2012.
The purpose of the visit was to see the progress made since the end of the armed struggle in May 2009. They wanted to interact with, wide range of people, members of civil society and political parties. The aim was to get a first hand information with regard to reconciliation and rehabilitation of Tamils displaced by the war. It is a sincere attempt to find a way forward to achieve a lasting peace in Sri Lanka.
SRI LANKAN Tamil issue is very emotive. Five members of the delegation were from Tamil Nadu. Two major political parties from Tamil Nadu, both AIADMK and DMK pulled out of the visit sighting some objections.
Jayalalitha, slammed the “anti-Tamil” approach of Sri Lankan government for the rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Tamils, the Sri Lankan fishermen and Colombo’s recent objections to Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant on grounds of radiation threats. DMK, a constituent of the UPA, decided to withdraw from the delegation in the last minute.
In spite of the boycott of the two major Dravidian Parties, the delegation have done a fairly good job, bringing back the focus on the post war issues to end the sufferings of Tamils and their resettlement with employment and decent life with dignity and honour.
Political Process
Sri Lankan Tamil’s humiliations are spoken in many political platforms. The Tamils in Sri Lanka have faced many discriminations and suffered lot more for a very long period of time, causing severe ethnic conflict.
In fact, this delegation has done a more credible job than the previous one, belonging to DMK, Congress and Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi which visited Sri Lanka during October 2009. Smt. Sushma Swaraj, highly talented and experienced leader of the opposition in Parliament from the BJP, led the delegation and had a clear agenda focusing on current issues that are emerging India-Sri Lanka relations.
The BJP is very much concerned about the plight of the Sri Lankan Tamils and wanted India to take a strong stand on some of the basic issues. Every member who participated in the delegation wanted Sri Lankan government to bring a broad based solution with an inclusive approach.
The delegation called on President Mahindra Rajapakse. They had extensive discussions with several ministers, key leaders of major political parties and representatives of civil society. The delegation travelled to different parts of Sri Lanka, especially to North and East, where the Tamils are recovering from the trauma of nearly three decades of armed conflict.
They visited several sites of Indian- aided projects, including railway projects in the North and the South, the housing project, Kankesanthurai Harbour and some of the schools, hospitals and vocational training centers being revived with Indian assistance.
Reconstruction And Rehabilitation
The committee met several top Sri Lankan leaders including Tamil National Alliance leader R. Sambandan and others. The main objective of visiting several sites was to understand feelings of Tamils and give solace to the war victims. The committee made an overall observation about the implementation of programmes being carried out with over Rs.25,000 crores of Indian assistance.
India’s humanitarian assistance, housing, education, public health, revival of agriculture and other livelihood activities, gave immense satisfaction to the suffering Tamil people. Smt. Sushma Swaraj handed over the upgraded coastal railway line to Sri Lanka. It was completed ahead of schedule by the Indian Public sector company, IRCON, at a cost of 167.4 million dollars.
While speaking at the function, Smt. Sushma Swaraj said, “I am honored to hand over the completed section of the railway track between Galle and Kautara.”
These projects serve to underline Indian’s commitment, in peace, stability and harmony in Sri Lanka to address the needs of the war affected people and the restoration of normalcy to their lives.
Political Empowerment
The delegation clearly spelled out its views on the political reconciliation process. It suggested Sri Lanka should seize the opportunity and follow an enlightened approach to reach a genuine political solution based on a meaningful devolution of powers, which takes into account the legitimate needs of the Tamil people for equality, dignity, justice and self respect.
The end of the armed conflict has provided a historic opportunity for moving towards national reconciliation and political settlement. The Lessons Learnt and reconciliation commission (LLRC) has underlined this and has made a number of Constructive recommendations for addressing issues related to healing the wounds of the conflict and fostering a process of lasting peace and political settlement in Sri Lanka.
It is important that these are pursued with a sense of urgency. This is the message that the delegation of Indian Parliamentarians have conveyed Srilanka during their course of the visit.
Mr.NSV Chithan, Mr. M. Krishnaswamy, Mr. E.M. Sudarsana Nachippan and Mr. Manik Tagore all from Congress party termed the visit as fruitful. They said that there is a sense of fear amongst the Tamils in some areas in Sri Lanka. The Community is under constant watch by the Sri Lankan army and they had asked the island nation’s government there to call back the army. According to Mr. Natchppan, the MPs delegation visited various places in Sri Lanka including the Menik farm where the Tamil are lodged. He said that the number of people lodged in the Menik Camp is around 6000 down from 2,50,00. They said that the Sri Lankan government has assured them that the remaining inmates would be resettled soon.
The team members expressed a sincere hope that the government of Sri Lanka will seize the window of opportunity and follow an enlightened approach to reach a genuine political reconciliation, based on a meaningful devolution of powers, which takes into account the legitimate needs of the Tamil people for equality, dignity, justice and self-respect. They have been assured in the past that this will be done within the framework of “Thirteenth Amendment-Plus”. Indian delegation urged the government of Srilanka and other stake holders, including the Tamil National Alliance, to resume dialogue and move towards an early political settlement.
Demilitarization
Indian Parliamentary delegation has listed the items still outstanding in Srilanka’s post war recovery.
1) The need for expeditious implementation of the measures proposed by the LLRC with regard to information on missing persons and detainees.
2) Investigation of cases of disappearance and objections.
3) Reduction of high security zones.
4) Return of the private lands by the military and demilitarization, including phasing out of the involvement of the security forces in civilian activities and restoration of the civilian administration in the northern province.
5) Withdrawal of security forces from community life and confine their role to security matters.
After completing the intense tour of Sri Lanka, the team came back to Delhi. I met Smt. Sushma Swaraj and asked about the overall impact of the trip. She said, “The delegation visited Srilanka with a definite mission and purpose to bring peace. From morning 6 am to night 11 pm we were moving from one end of Sri Lanka to the other. We visited Colombo, Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Kankesanthurai, Batticola and many more areas. We met top most people of government, various Tamil leaders and ordinary people of Sri Lanka. I am happy to note that our relations are moving ahead in a comprehensive manner. We insisted for demilitarization and political settlement. I have a sincere hope that Tamils will be rehabilitated in a dignified manner with political empowerment.”
Hopefully, peace and political contentment will prevail in Sri Lanka.
V Shanmuganathan
11, Ashoka Road,
NEW DELHI-110001
Email id: vsnathan7666@gmail.com
Mob: 09811432960
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