April 16, 2026 03:11 am (IST)
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Feeling of nationalism should co-exist with freedom of speech: Jaitley
New Delhi, Mar 20 (IBNS): On day two of the National executive meet of the BJP, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday said his government is in favour of freedom of speech and expression but the feeling of nationalism should co-exist.
"We are in the favour of freedom of expression. The freedom of speech and the feeling of nationalism should co-exist. We are in the support of dissent and disagreement. The Constitution gives the freedom of dissent but not the destruction of the nation," Jaitley said amid severe criticisms for his government.
The Union Finance Minister also said that his party is trying to increase its presence in the upcoming assembly polls.
The upcoming elections in four states - Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu - was on agenda on the Day 2 of the BJP's national executive meet.
Speaking on the Jammu and Kashmir government formation crisis, he said, "There is no reference of the government formation in Jammu and Kashmir in the resolution. We stand fully committed to the agenda of governance."
Taking a dig at the Congress, Jaitley said, "The Congress has lowered its level of ambition. The Congress is quite content to become the tail of the alliance."
"As far as Assam is concerned, we have formed an alliance and we are the leader of that alliance. There is a deep division in the Congress in Uttarakhand. It should not be attributed to the BJP," Jaitley cleared.
The two-day national executive meet at Delhi's NDMC Convention Centre will be concluded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech.
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