A strong objection to the Congress’ attempt at communalising Elections and a clear picture citing their incompetence in tackling national concerns were the highlights of Shri Narendra Modi’s speech during his campaign rally at Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, on the afternoon of 3rd April.
Shri Modi took strong objection to the Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi’s recent appeal to Muslim leaders to ensure that their votes were not split, and stated that it was yet another attempt by the Congress Party to communalize the Elections. Shri Modi said, “Congress is defeated, and so, now from 'secularism' they have moved to open communalism. What the Congress President said…to seek votes on the basis of religion is against the laws of this nation. Suo motu action must be taken. You tell me is it proper to appeal like this on religious grounds? Don't give empty slogans and then divide brothers. Sadly this has been the Congress tradition. Sonia ji has made the mistake of trying to mislead and divide the nation. People will never forgive this kind of politics.”
Shri Modi said that the Congress’ laxity in tackling the grave concerns of price rise, unemployment, poverty, empowerment of farmers and women etc, was clearly evident in their recurrent reference to ‘secularism’, each time they were asked to address these concerns. “Congress is worried about giving answers and that is why they keep saying only one thing - secularism, secularism. They are worried because all they have is 40 years of the same thing. They never thought a tea seller would seek answers from them. The Congress never thought that the son of a poor man will ask them on how they fooled the nation,” said Shri Modi.
Asserting that the Congress’ idea of secularism was merely an election slogan which focused on ‘divide and rule’, Shri Modi said, “For Congress, secularism is votebank politics while for us everyone is ours. Congress secularism is divide and rule, while we say unite, integrate and work for the nation. For Congress secularism is religion first but for us it is India First. It is an article of faith for us.”
Commenting on the powerlessness of the Central government, which was evident in its feebleness at resisting assaults by foreign countries, Shri Modi called for the urgent need to form a government that is strong and stable. Reinforcing the impact of UP’s contribution in forming the next Government in Delhi, Shri Modi urged them to vote for the BJP, and said, “UP is going to have a big say in forming the next Government of India. We need maximum Lotuses from UP.”
Shri Modi also addressed the concern of farmer suicides and stated that this worsening of the agricultural sector was a result of the Congress’ negligence towards it. He spoke of how the Congress was keen on encouraging Pink Revolution by subsidizing the export of mutton, but was unkind to the pitiable condition of farmers. He also cited animal husbandry focused initiatives of Gujarat and the positive results they had reaped.
Remembering the momentous contribution of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw towards the Nation’s security, on his 100th birth anniversary today, Shri Modi conveyed his reverence for the Field Marshal and expressed happiness that he could campaign for retired Indian army officer Shri V K Singh on this day.
