BJP raising Jinnah portrait issue for political gains: NCP

The NCP today accused the BJP of raking up the issue of Muhammad Ali Jinnah's portrait at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) for political gains.

The Sharad Pawar-led party also dared Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to accept the demand of BJP legislator Mangal Prabhat Lodha to demolish"the Jinnah House, once the Mumbai residence of Pakistan's founder.

Addressing a press conference here, NCP spokesman Nawab Malik said"Jinnah's portrait is on display at the AMU since 1938.

"If the (central) government felt it (Jinnah's photo) should be removed (from the AMU), the HRD ministry could have done so. The BJP rules in the state (Uttar Pradesh) as well as at the Centre," he said.

In a letter written to AMU Vice-Chancellor Tariq Mansoor, BJP MP from Aligarh Satish Gautam objected to the Pakistan founder"s picture on the walls of the university's student union office.

The BJP MP has done so for political gains, Malik said.

Referring to Lodha's demand to demolish the Jinnah House in South Mumbai and set up a cultural centre there, the NCP spokesman dared Fadnavis to raze the British-era structure.

"The BJP rules at the Centre and also in Maharashtra. Instead of making demands,"the government should raze down the building. The NCP will felicitate Fadnavis," Malik said.

He said the BJP is engaging in politics over Jinnah to hide its "failures".

Referring to the killing of two NCP activists in Ahmednagar"district on April 28, Malik said it indicates "lawlessness" and demanded the resignation of District Guardian Minister Ram Shinde.