New Delhi, June 23 (IANS) On the 73rd martyrdom anniversary of Syama Prasad Mukherjee, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Tuesday that he gave the slogan of ‘One Nation, One Constitution’ and Prime Minister Narendra Modi fulfilled his dream by removing Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a martyrdom day programme at Mukherjee’s memorial site near Delhi Gate, CM Gupta said that achieving Assembly election victory in West Bengal for the first time after independence was a major tribute to Mukherjee.

Gupta said that today is a day to remember the noble soul who sowed the seeds of the Jana Sangh, and today that seed, in the form of the BJP, is providing shade to the entire country.

She said Syama Prasad Mukherjee’s life is an inspiration for all of us. Today, we work with the spirit of “Nation First”, but it was Dr Mukherjee who inspired this thought.

He was a person who could leave the position of a minister for the interest of the nation, and his principles continue to inspire us.

“We should pledge to take forward his message and work in the interest of the country,” she said.

BJP National Organiser and senior leader V. Satish, Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra, and State Organisation General Secretary Pawan Rana also paid floral tributes at the statue of Dr Mukherjee. They addressed a large gathering of party workers at the programme conducted by State General Secretary Vishnu Mittal.

On the occasion, Union Minister of State Durgadas Uikey, MPs Manoj Tiwari, Yogendra Chandolia, Bansuri Swaraj, Swati Maliwal and Gajendra Patel, Delhi Ministers Pankaj Singh and Ravindra Indraj Singh, Delhi Jal Board Vice Chairman Satish Upadhyay, Delhi Mayor Pravesh Wahi, former Delhi BJP President Vijay Goel, along with several senior leaders, state and district office bearers, MLAs and councillors, participated in the martyrdom day programme and paid their respects.

While highlighting the life and contributions of Mukherjee, V. Satish said that his life was dedicated to India’s unity, integrity and cultural nationalism.

He never compromised with his principles and ideology. For the unity of the nation, he launched a movement in Jammu & Kashmir with the resolve of “One Nation, One Constitution, One Flag, One Head” and dedicated his life to the service of the country.

Delhi BJP President and Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra said that Mukherjee always worked with the thought of “Nation First”.

He had called for India becoming self-reliant at that time itself, and today it is a matter of happiness that the country’s PM Modi is continuously working towards building a self-reliant India.

Malhotra said that to ignite the spirit of nationalism and keep India united, Mukherjee established the Bharatiya Jana Sangh.

He launched a movement against the system that required a separate visa to enter Jammu & Kashmir and demanded that “One Nation, One Constitution” apply across the country, said Malhotra.

–IANS

rch/dan