Claiming that the guiding principle of his life has been “Nation first, party next, self last”, BJP leader LK Advani on Thursday said the saffron party had never regarded those with a different political stand as its “enemies” or “anti-national”.
In a blog post ahead of the BJP’s foundation day, Advani said, “Right from its inception, the BJP has never regarded those who disagree with us politically as our enemies, but only as our adversaries. Similarly, in our conception of Indian nationalism, we have never regarded those who disagree with us politically as anti-national.” West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said Advani’s views about extending democratic courtesies was significant. “As the senior most politician, former Dy PM and founding father of BJP, the views Advani ji has expressed about extending democratic courtesies, is significant. Of course, all Opposition who raise their voices are not anti-national. We welcome his statement and convey our humble regards,” she tweeted.