BJP govt spent Rs 300 crore for Muslims: Derrick Fullinfaw

Udupi, March 11: Congress and JD(S) governments in the state had only spent around Rs 30 crores each for the development of the minority community, where as BJP government has spent to the tune of Rs 300 crores. It spent over Rs 50 crores for the welfare of Christians, said Christian Development Corporation vice chairman and MLC from Anglo Indian constituency Derrick Fullinfaw.

Addressing press persons at Kunjibettu here on Sunday Mr Fullinfaw said it is the BJP government that came forward to build a Haj Ghar and released Rs 40 crore for the same. “Once completed it will be one of the finest Haj Ghars in India and truly a monument for the Muslims”, he added.

Mr Fullinfaw is a nominated MLA representing the Anglo-Indian community. He was appointed vice chairman of the CDC some months ago.

He said, “During the last two days we met many church priests and requested to support BJP candidate in this by election. They were happy with the development in Udupi over the past three and a half years and they appreciated the government. So development is the key issue in this election. When I asked so many Christians here, they responded saying that there was a lot of good work done and they expressed appreciation for the present chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda.”

Referring to the recent assembly elections, he said, "In Maharashtra, there was a clear indication that there are two national parties in this country. One is Congress which ruled for the last 55 years and the other the BJP. It is the fastest growing party in India and also in the states, in Karnataka and in undivided Dakshina Kannada,"

"On the other side," he continued, "Congress party is the fastest declining party in India, in all state, in Karnataka and in the coastal districts. About 20 years back, when they were ruling, all ministers from the coastal districts held the cabinet status. But today there is no status, because people, especially the minorities, have placed their trust in the BJP. Congress had been using the minorities and the weaker sections as their vote bank. At election time, they promised plenty of things. After the election, they forgot their promises. That is why people have lost faith in the Congress party. Today it is a cadreless party,"

He continued, "Today UPA's allies are involved in various shameful scams. But with the NDA allies in many states of India, everywhere development is going on smoothly. So people of these states rejected the UPA allies and supported the NDA allies. People started keeping faith in prime minster A B Vajapayee. People say the BJP is development; it is a progressive and disciplined party. The BJP is strongly promoting patriotism in this country, so we believe in nationalism."

"Our party believes in genuine secularism and the people are supporting the Bharatiya Janata party. It will win the by-election with a large majority. And our candidate Sunil Kumar is a young, dynamic and patriotic leader. We appeal to all minority leaders to support the BJP not for their own interest, but the main interest of the state," he also said.

Adding further, he said, "So many governments have ruled our state, but no one took interest in the development of Christian community. But the BJP government allotted Rs 50 crore through the Christian Development Corporation. The committee has been formed under the chairmanship of the chief minister, with 15 members from all parts of Karnataka for helping this corporation, and Christian people will receive the grant from this body,"

"We appeal to prime minister Manmohan Singh to follow the way of Karnataka government and allot separate share to Christian and Muslim communities. Union minority welfare minister Salman Khursheed violated the code of conduct at UP election time and spoke on the reservation for Muslims but people rejected that party in that region," he said.

Christian leader Gerald Fernandes Moodublle, Musamun Babu and Veeresh Martin were present at the press meet.