BJP's priority is not development, but to create Hindu rashtra: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday said that since it does not have any development agenda BJP’s priority is the creation of a Hindu Rashtra.

“Since they do not have any plans for development BJP is determined to create a Hindu Rashtra,” said Tharoor. He was speaking at the Kolkata Literary Meet.

Taking a dig at the saffron party for its repeated reference to the “tukde tukde gang”, Tharoor said that the BJP was the real “tukde tukde gang” as it was trying to divide the country.

“The ruling party at the Centre is the real tukde tukde gang since they are dividing the country in a way which similar to the divide and rule policy the British,” said Tharoor.

Referring to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) Tharoor said that for the first time in India religion is being considered as a criterion for getting citizenship while Islam has been excluded.

“The Constitution has rejected the idea of religion-based citizenship,” said Tharoor. He also said that Mahatma Gandhi wanted a secular India, unlike Pakistan which became an Islamic country.

As for the issue of nationwide NRC Tharoor said that 65% of people do not have required documents.

“This is a burden imposed on us by the BJP government,” said Tharoor.