Intolerance charge by Cong-Left against BJP a fog, says Akbar

Terming as "fog" the allegation of Congress and Left that it is "intolerant and divides people on communal lines", BJP today said people have not believed it and were clear about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "development message".
"When the Opposition has nothing substantive to say, its only option is to create a false climate. I will even call it a fog," senior BJP leader and its national Spokesperson M J Akbar told PTI here.
The Rajya Sabah member said people of the country have not believed it and "I think, it is absolutely preposterous that a canard like this is repeated".

"Unfortunately, Congress is being led or misled by petty politics...People are clear about the development message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said.
Akbar, who was here in connection with a seminar, said the PM was much focused, very dedicated and very sincere.
"He is working for 18 hrs a day on development and progress. Those who allege these things never hear what he says on development," he added.

Citing a recent survey carried in an English daily, he said it stated that 86 per cent of the people were either "satisfied or very satisfied" with the economic development under the NDA government. A total of 62 per cent said more jobs have been created.

"Artificial" issues were being created by Congress because the party had become barren, both in ideas and ammunition,he charged.
Asked whether the PM's development agenda would affect the current state assembly poll results, he said elections were fought on several issues and strong local matters.
Akbar said the recent row over sedition cases against some
JNU student leaders would not have any effect on the voters. "They (people) know the truth," he added.
To a question, the BJP leader said he did not blame media for anything. "Media is only a mirror", he added.
On the scenario in Kerala going to assembly elections next month, Akbar said people would be surprised or even stunned by the performance of BJP in the state.

"There is a growing...I mean an undercurrent is slowly becoming visible," he said, claiming basically people of the state were "increasingly fed up" with both options -- Congress led UDF and CPI-M headed LDF.
Taking a dig at the two fronts, he said: "For years, they have some time voted for topsy and some time voted for turvy. People are no more interested in topsy, turvy politics, because it has not taken them anywhere.
"People are absolutely angry with these fronts. They are enraged at the corruption of Congress and Left looks very stale," he said.
"Actually the battle in the state is between two dying forces. They are dying because they have not done anything for the state. What Congress has done is it has made money for itself," he alleged.

Replying to another question, Akbar said "no election is a repetition of the last one. Situation changes and dynamics change. People of the state want some kind of change."
Development message of BJP was the main advantage of the party in the state, he said, adding "people understand that development means stability and peace".
He also denied the charge of the Opposition that BJP was an anti-minority party.
Terming it a lie, Akbar pointed to the alliance BJP has with Akali Dal in Punjab and PDP in Jammu and Kashmir which he said can be described as parties of minorities based on their support base and hence it was a "proof" that BJP was not anti-minority.

"Why both these parties in Kashmir and Punjab be in alliance with BJP, if they thought that it was a anti-minority party," he asked.
"People are watching all developments in the country. Look at the North-East, look at the changes taking place. So this lie against BJP is not working," he said.