Mumbai: Hitting out at appeasement of minorities, BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) president M Venkaiah Naidu today (Jun 22, 2004) said that dangerous portents of competitive pseudo-secularism is emboldening terrorism.

Naidu's comments in his inaugural address to the BJP's national executive that commenced in Mumbai, alluded to the support extended by Congress and NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) to Ishrat Jahan Sheikh, the Mumbra-based girl who was killed in an encounter with Ahmedabad police on June 15.

Naidu, however, did not refer to Ishrat or name the political parties, BJP sources said.

Referring to Lok Sabha debacle suffered by the NDA (National Democratic Alliance), Naidu said, "The outcome was beyond expectation." The BJP leader emphasised the need to introspect and adopt focused approach to overcome the shortcomings.

Naidu said there would be no "blame game" for the party's dismal performance in the general elections and added that it was a collective responsibility.

The BJP president said the party would be playing the role of a constructive Opposition and stressed the need to look towards farmers, and the rural poor. Advocating building up the organisation to meet future challenges, Naidu said there was a need to develop younger leadership.

He extended best wishes to Maharashtra unit of the party for the forthcoming Assembly elections.