GUWAHATI, April 2 -- Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday asserted that the BJP was not against any caste, religion or language, and that unity in diversity "is our essence".
Addressing a poll rally in Assam's Palasbari constituency, he said that the relaxation on granting voting rights to people of specific religion was as per the "margdarshan" (guidance) of the Constitution.
"The BJP is not against any caste, region, religion or language. Unity in diversity is our essence. But the foreign nationals who come, should they be granted voting rights? What will happen to you all then?" Gadkari said.
The senior BJP leader claimed the Constitution provides the "margdarshan" in this regard as "Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists, Jains are 'nirvasit' ...