BJP MANIFESTO SEEKS TO DIVIDE PEOPLE, SAYS MANMOHAN SINGH
PURANPUR (PILIBHIT): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Saturday the Bharatiya Janata Party manifesto was an agenda to create schism in society. Divisive issues like mandir, masjid and Article 370 had been incorporated in the saffron election manifesto to polarise society on communal lines. Rather than highlighting its policies and programmes, the manifesto focused on one personality, he said.
Addressing a public meeting in the Sikh-dominated area of Puranpur, Singh, deputed to build the counter attack against the rival party in UP’s mini Punjab, said the BJP had downgraded the standard of politics. Referring to the hate speech of BJP national general secretary Amit Shah, he said people would not tolerate leaders whose mission was to divide the society for votes. He urged the voters to exercise their franchise judiciously as results of UP would decide who formed the next government in Delhi. The Prime Minister urged the people to vote on national issues rather than local.
Sporting a blue turban, Singh arrived at the rally ground on Assam Road at 12.15 pm and was welcomed by the granthi of the local gurudwara. Sikhs presented him ‘saropa’ and a sword. There was a tight security cordon and people were allowed entry after being frisked. Earlier, there were just a few people on the ground but as the helicopter carrying Singh landed at the helipad, the crowd swelled.
Singh admitted that his government failed to control the price hike, especially of essential commodities. “We took measures to control the skyrocketing prices and got some success as well. The price of the commodities distributed through the public distribution system (PDS) to the common people was not increased”, he said.
Replying to the allegation of corruption, Singh said the central government took action against those involved in corruption cases. Right to Information proved to be an effective mechanism to check corruption. It instilled fear among the public servants and reined in corruption. He said the UPA government planned to bring in new anti- corruption laws but could not get them passed in parliament due to non-cooperation of the BJP. Armed with data and figures regarding the achievements of the UPA government, the PM tried to woo the people with the progress made by the country in various field under his government.