Kozhikode: Hindutva is the core of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and it is a code of acceptance, P S Sreedharan Pillai, the party's new Kerala state unit president, has said.

Addressing a meet-the-press here on Tuesday, he said he was up for a long innings. He made it unequivocally clear that he was no 'stop-gap' arrangement and exuded confidence of leading the party successfully through imminent elections in the next three years, the 2019 Lok Sabha polls being the first.

Ahead of Pillai being made president, the warring factions in the party had indicated on social media that he would not complete his term.

Inclusive pitch

Making an inclusive pitch, Pillai said the party, under his leadership, would not prevent anybody from joining its fold. There would be no discrimination on the basis of religion or politics, he said.

“There are many frustrated leaders and workers in the Congress. They are welcome to form regional parties and join us. The BJP is an inclusive party, it has 'equal justice' for everyone and it will not try to appease anyone. Cadre parties have lost faith in their cadres and are depending on social and monetary base locally,” he said.

He dismissed reports that he had lobbied for the post in New Delhi. “I was in New Delhi for personal reasons. The announcement came when I reached Thrissur. Four days ago, the national leadership had called and sought my opinion. Kerala is ready to accept the BJP. The lack of vision in the Congress has also helped us strengthen our base. In today's circumstances, the BJP is the only option for Kerala,” he said.

On Kummanam

He said he did not want to coax former BJP state president Kummanam Rajaskharan into contesting elections as he was a governor now. Kummanam may always join on his own, he said.

Extending a hand of cordiality, he welcomed the stance of the NSS and the SDNP Yogam on various issues.