BJP’s Hindutva is Hinduism distorted: CWC

Trying to show the difference between BJP’s version of nationalism and its own, the Congress resolution said, ‘‘The Congress belief in secularism had been anchored in the vision of Indian nationalism with its emphasis on promotion of harmony, tolerance, national unity and integration.

‘‘By contrast the BJP grossly misuses the great Hindu faith and way of life for prenicious, partisan political purposes that can only divide our people and damage the country’s unity and integrity.’’

The party vowed to counter the BJP’s ‘‘distortion of Hinduism’’, saying it would ‘‘pursue secularism to rescue all religious traditions and preachings from forces of bigotry and hate.’’ The eight-hour brainstorming session of the CWC — the first one after Congress lost in Gujarat — was called to analyse the results of the Gujarat election and draw plans for elections in four states which are just a month away.

Emerging from the meeting, party president Sonia Gandhi said the Congress needs to be alert against the BJP repeating its strategy in other states. ‘‘The BJP and its sister concerns not only have a pronounced policy but an action plan to communalise and polarise Gujarat’s population and we fear that they would repeat it in other states too,’’ she told mediapersons.

The CWC resolution took a grim view of the BJP’s campaign in Gujarat. ‘‘The BJP’s election campaign in Guajarat broke all rules and norms and conventions of a democratic discourse and debate. The substance and style of that campaign has grave implications for the country as a whole,’’ it said.

Sonia, however, denied suggestions that the party had lost the elections because of its ‘‘soft Hindutva’’ plank. She said the party’s final word on Gujarat elections was still awaited as senior party leader Dr Manmohan Singh was preparing a final report on the reasons for the party’s defeat.

Later party spokesman Dr Jaipal Reddy said the Congress was open to all options for alliances in future elections. He said the party had realised that in Guajarat its alliance partners from secular parties, like the CPI and CPI(M), did not enjoy mass support. Though Reddy said the party did not discuss alliances in Himachal Pradesh, the sources said the party was toying with the idea of wooing Sukh Ram’s Himachal Vikas Congress.

The Congress also tried to throw the ball into the BJP’s court on the issue of terrorism. The party resolution blamed the NDA government’s policies for rising incidents of terrorism all over the country. Reddy pointed out the assassination of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi to make the point.

‘‘The Congress insists that cross-border terrorism must end but deplores the calculated efforts of the BJP and its affiliates to use the confrontation with Pakistan to polarise our country along communal lines,’’ the resolution said.