We don't feel the need to apologise: BJP

BJP said that party president Rajnath Singh had not apologised to Muslims for the 2002 post- Godhra riots in Gujarat

BJP today said that party president Rajnath Singh had not apologised to Muslims for the 2002 post- Godhra riots in Gujarat, contrary to some media reports.

"The BJP president did not apologise. We want people from all sections of society to come with us. We don't feel the need to apologise," party spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said here.

"He (Singh) has not apologised for any past (issues). We believe in taking everybody along. We talk of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' (One India, Great India)," he added.

Earlier this week, addressing a gathering of Muslims, the BJP chief had said that, "if there has been any mistake and shortcoming on our part, I assure you that we will apologise to you by bowing our heads."

Naqvi added today that, "Come with us. Show trust in us. Afterwards, (if) you feel that we are going wrong, we will definitely seek an apology."

He said that riots had taken place frequently in Congress -ruled states, but "how many times has it apologised?".