New Delhi: BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) today (Jan 5, 2004) appealed to minorities to join the party as the Congress had failed to protect them in the last 48 years and used them as "vote bank".

Speaking at a meeting to mark the merger of Soshit Kranti Dal led by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Nagmani, into BJP, party president M Venkaiah Naidu said, "I appeal to the minorities to come and join the party as the Congress had failed to protect you in the last 48 years and it was only the BJP that can do so.

"The Congress has done nothing either to alleviate poverty in the country even though it spoke of Garibi Hatao and now talks of Hamara Haath Garib ka Saath. It has only used the minorities as vote bank and done nothing for them in the field of education or for their economic upliftment. The Congress is now growing weaker day by day while the BJP is gaining in strength," he said.

Stating that Lok Sabha elections were possible any time though no final decision has been taken yet, he said the party must work towards "Mission 2004" which is to get 300 seats for BJP and a clear two-thirds majority for the NDA (National Democratic Alliance).

"Even though the reports of early elections to the Lok Sabha were only speculative in nature, but as a political party we have to be prepared for them at anytime," he said.