"Inclusive development", a governance phrase popularly used over the years, is condescending and not a patch on the principle of "participatory governance", BJP national vice president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe said here on Friday.
"What does inclusive development mean? That is a condescending term. I am somebody and I am going to include you. There is nothing like this," Sahasrabuddhe said at a book release function.
"Inclusive and Sustainable Development" was one of the key pledges made by the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections in its poll manifesto.
Sahasrabuddhe also said participatory governance was the way ahead.
"What should happen is participatory governance, where the people have the right, an opportunity to participate and their independence to state their opinion. When this happens, when people have a sense of ownership of the processes of government, they will responsibly work towards making it successful," he said.