New Delhi, Dec 8 (IANS): Going all out to woo the city's Dalit community, BJP leaders Monday took part in a rally here promising to dedicate the year 2015 to the uplift of the community.

Speaking at the rally organised by the All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations at the Ramlila Maidan here, president of the Delhi unit of the BJP Satish Upadhyay said that the party as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi have vowed to uplift Dalits.

"Dalits have always been considered as vote banks by political parties but not anymore. The BJP has dedicated the year 2015 to work for the city's Dalits," Upadhyay said.

"All through the year, we will work in slums and shanties where Dalits live, and work towards their economic and social upliftment," he added.

Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari also addressed the rally and urged the crowd to become a part of the BJP.

"The opposition parties in Delhi have succeeded in projecting the BJP as an anti-Dalit party. However, the BJP is the only party which talks about a person's qualities and merits and not his caste or background.

"I invite all of you to become a part of the BJP and see for yourself what our party's ideology is and how we work for the Dalit community at the ground level," he said.

Gadkari said it was the party's aim to empower the community with education and financial independence.