Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Monday that his party believes in the mantra of 'pahle rastra fir caste' (first nation and then caste).
The statement from Chouhan comes responding to Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi's relentless push for the caste-based census in the country.
Rahul Gandhi is trying to divide the people of India for vote bank, but the people of this country are well aware of his strategy. If he can speak against the country during his foreign visits, what else we can expect from him, said Chouhan.
Bhopal: In support of BJP candidate Ramakant Bhargava, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan campaigned for Budhni bypolls on Monday and said on visit to Bhopal that identity of India is "unity and brotherhood" among people from all sections, and not discrimination.
No matter how much Rahul Gandhi will make an effort to divide the people of this country he will never be able to do so. Congress has always followed appeasement politics in thrust of power and Rahul Gandhi is following the footsteps of his forefathers, he added .
Chouhan further said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government has adopted the mantra of "progress" and "rashtravad" and, therefore, people from all castes and religions are extending their support.
Talking about the Assembly elections in Jharkhand, Chouhan said the Opposition block has invited "intruders", due to which people are very upset with them.
"I have witnessed the wind of change in Jharkhand. I have full confidence that BJP will form government in Jharkhand," he added.
Chouhan, the BJP incharge for Jharkhand Assembly elections, had announced that the party would prepare a National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Jharkhand if it was given power.
Chouhan further said that once the NRC is implemented, the Bangladeshi infiltrators will be easily traceable and dealt with. He also accused the Hemant Soren government of providing shelter to infiltrators by issuing Aadhaar cards to them.
The first phase will involve voting in 43 Assembly seats on November 13, while 38 seats will vote in the second phase on November 20. It will count all of the 81 seats on November 23.
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