Free speech and nationalism coexist, says Arun Jaitley

The ideology of nationalism is the driving force behind the BJP, senior party leader and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today. Jaitley was talking to the media about what was discussed during the two-day BJP National Executive meet, which ends today.

"We are in the favour of freedom of expression. The freedom of speech and the feeling of nationalism coexist. We are in the support of dissent and disagreement. The Constitution gives the freedom of dissent but not the destruction of the nation," Jaitley said.

The BJP leader's statement comes in the backdrop of a raging debate over nationalism and freedeom of speech in the country.

Jaitley also said that development remains the prime focus of the Modi government and that it was working to achieve the target it has set for itself. "Progressive governance, determined leadership is the focus," he said.

Uttarakhand crisis should not be attributed to BJP

Commenting on the political crisis in Uttarakhand, Jaitley said that a majority of MLAs voted against the controversial finance bill but the Speaker declared it passed. "In Uttarakhand, Speaker considered a failed bill as passed. This is happening for the first time in the country," he said.

He blamed the ruling Congress for the Uttarakhand crisis and said that there is "deep division with the party in the state." "The crisis should not be to the BJP," Jaitley said.

Referring to the deadlock over government formation in Jammu and Kashmir, Jaitley said that the BJP is "still committed to agenda for governance" which the party had formed with the PDP.

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