Kalyan Singh, Murli Manohar Joshi Were The Soul Of BJP, Says Dinesh Sharma

Rajya Sabha MP and former Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Dr Dinesh Sharma on Monday paid tribute to Ram Janmabhoomi movement leader and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh on his birth anniversary, and to BJP founding member Dr Murli Manohar Joshi on his birthday.

Addressing party workers at various programmes, Dr Sharma said both leaders were the soul of the Bharatiya Janata Party and lived the party’s ideology in every sense.

He said the BJP and the lotus symbol ran through their veins, adding that both leaders drew deeply from the thoughts of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and exemplified the BJP’s principles, policies and traditions.

Highlighting their role in major national movements, Dr Sharma said Kalyan Singh gave up the chief minister’s post for the construction of the Ram temple and took full responsibility for the demolition of the disputed structure.

He also underlined Dr Murli Manohar Joshi’s leadership in the Ekta Yatra, stating that after Syama Prasad Mukherjee, Joshi entered Kashmir and hoisted the national flag at Lal Chowk, strengthening national unity through the movement.

Recalling Kalyan Singh’s political acumen, Dr Sharma said his advice guided electoral strategies for almost every seat in Uttar Pradesh. He noted that Kalyan Singh regarded Ram Prakash Gupta as an elder brother, while he described Dr Murli Manohar Joshi and Kalraj Mishra as symbols of the organisation.

‘Party Above Individuals’

According to Dr Sharma, Kalyan Singh never practised favouritism and always placed the party above individuals, even in matters of ticket distribution.

Dr Sharma further said both Kalyan Singh and Dr Murli Manohar Joshi were among the founders of the BJP and repeatedly earned the trust of the people, which is why they were elected as public representatives multiple times. He said the two leaders enjoyed support across castes and religions.

While Kalyan Singh reflected the administrative firmness associated with Sardar Patel, Dr Murli Manohar Joshi was a reservoir of knowledge.

Dr Sharma added that Kalyan Singh’s resolve was comparable to that of LK Advani, while Joshi’s command over subjects and clarity of thought mirrored that of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

He said both leaders commanded respect from allies and opponents alike.

Describing Kalyan Singh as an able administrator, Dr Sharma said those who had the opportunity to work with him were truly fortunate.

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