'BJP's image is being questioned'

Dehradun: Struggling with internal feud, BJP chief Rajnath Singh on Thursday said indiscipline in the party will be tackled with a "firm hand" otherwise it will be doomed.

"Even while admitting that decorum has been violated during the past some years, none of us can say what happened was right," he said in his presidential address at the opening of the party's three-day national executive meeting.

In his address, the BJP chief has also spoken about the tough handling of open indiscipline in the party.

"Indiscipline at every level has to be dealt with a firm hand at all cost. Otherwise we too are destined to meet the fate of other parties."

He also said the party leaders in power should concentrate on addressing public issues instead of going in for personal publicity.

"While being active in public life, we must keep in mind that while being in Opposition, it is our duty to continue to struggle for promoting public welfare and while being in power, to concentrate on finding solution to people's problems and not our own personal publicity".

He admitted that the party lost power at the Centre because it was not able to create a place for itself in the "hearts of the people".

"We have to ponder over this fact. This example has posed a challenge and a lesson for our elected representatives, office bearers of our party and particularly the states where we are in power," the BJP chief said in his address.

Singh, whose party faces the allegation of ignoring its workers while being in power, emphasised the importance of karyakartas (workers) for the organisation.

"Before taking any political decision, we should always keep in mind the feelings of our karyakartas. Before taking a decision, there should be free, frank and open discussion," he said.

Singh warned that decisions once taken should not be questioned. "Instead, we should devote ourselves to implementation of that decision," the party president said.

With his party on the brink of losing power in Jharkhand, Singh said he believed that BJP governments required connecting themselves with the people.

"A great responsibility befalls the government where we are in power. We have to instill in the minds of the people a feeling that BJP-run or BJP-supported governments are their own.

The work and conduct of our Chief Ministers, ministers, and also public representatives should be oriented towards the people and the karyakartas."

He admitted that the BJP, which claims to be a party with a distinct identity, is facing questions over its image.

"We have to address ourselves to these questions collectively in a united manner. I request you to ponder over the situation that gave rise to these questions. Therefore we have to think over and introspect."