BJP downplays NaMo show entry fee fuss

The BJP state unit reacted sharply to statements by top brass of Congress that saffron party had delivered a paradigm shift in political landscape with its decision to collect entry fees from people attending Narendra Modi's 'Navabharat Yuvabheri' meeting on August 11 in Hyderabad.

Talking to reporters at party office in Nampally on Tuesday, senior leader M Venkaiah Naidu pointed out that this decision was taken to instill sense of participation in youth. He reminded that nobody was being forced by the party to pay the entry fees of five rupees for the meeting.

"Youth would not be bothered about the amount since it is very minimal," he felt. On the other hand, BJP state chief G Kishan Reddy lamented about the criticism levied on their initiative by rival national party and some sections of media. He reasoned that this decision was taken to inculcate practices among youth like lending a helping hand to the needy or taking up service-oriented initiatives

He, however, informed that crowd would be allowed for the meeting even though they cannot afford five rupees. The amount collected from this meeting would be donated for Uttarakhand cause, he added.

Meanwhile, at a memorial meeting organised in party office on Tuesday, saffron party leaders paid tributes to thousands of pilgrims who lost their lives in the Uttarakhand tragedy.