Download Sri Rajnath Singh’s press release copy (.doc)

BJP National President Sri Rajnath Singh today accused the Congress party of carrying out a slanderous campaign against the BJP and its leadership and said the party condemns this approach adopted by the Congress leadership. Addressing a press conference in the city on the way to Mandya during his whirlwind election campaign in the state Sri Rajnath Singh said “at time when there should be serious debate on burning issues like terrorism, security of the country, price rise, recession and development the Congress is shying away from having a serious debate on them.  For a healthy democracy this kind of slanderous campaign is not a good signal”.

He called upon the Prime Minister to take the initiative to stop the malicious campaign and pointed out that in a democracy it is the duty of the opposition to give its views on the functioning of the ruling government.  If the opposition is commenting on the performance of the Prime Minister it should be considered as a personal attack.  He added “it is the moral obligation of the opposition to resort to constructive criticism of the ruling government.  If the Prime Minister is criticized for his actions instead of the Prime Minister defending himself, his party colleagues should come forward to defend him.  But the Prime Minister should not get personally involved in any kind of smear campaign”, he opined.

Comparing UPA to a sinking ship Sri Rajnath Singh stated that the UPA as an alliance has failed in all fronts.  Congress led UPA is not based on any commitment but was based on political compulsions of keeping the BJP out of power.  Its coalition partners are deserting it one by one to save themselves.  NDA is now stronger than it was in 2004 because it has succeeded in keeping its alliances together, he remarked. He further added “the strength of NDA comes from the joining of new alliance partners like RLD, INLD and AGP, which have influence in about 50 seats.  We also have friends outside NDA who will join us soon after the election results are announced. In Indian politics NDA has become a formidable force with its remarkable show of unity, consistency and strength in testing times”.

Taking exceptions to Congress charge of criticizing BJP for handling the Kandhahar crisis Sri Rajnath Singh said “Congress was a party to the all-party meeting convened by NDA to resolve the crisis.  In a forced situation like Kandhahar a consensus decision was taken to save the lives of people in the hijacked plane, which did not have the relatives of BJP leaders.  Pointing out that Congress has forgotten its own misdeeds in Charar-e-Sharif he said “the then Congress government had ensured safe passage to five dreaded terrorists in a situation where there were no hostages.  The same people today are blaming NDA for taking a decision in a crisis situation.  The Congress party should keep in mind the age-old adage that people living in glass houses should not throw stones at others”.

Criticizing the UPA for its failure to control price rise Sri. Rajnath Singh said the UPA regime has affected the common man greatly.  The Indian economy is today reeling under recessionary pressures.  Though the government claims it has brought inflation to zero rate prices of essential services are showing an inflationary trend. If NDA comes to power he promised to bring an integrated and rapid action plan to control inflation and bring the economy back on the track.

Though the NDA wanted to bring out an agenda for governance before the results the party has decided to reconsider its decision to have a consensus agenda for governance after the elections as the party is confident of new alliances joining it after the elections.  NDA is confident of getting majority on its own he declared.

Responding to a question that the opinion poll predict a different picture for NDA Sri Rajnath Singh stated that even in 2004 elections the poll survey predicted a win for NDA which did not happen.  With regard to Sri Varun Gandhi he said the party will stand by him both politically and legally.  He demanded action against Sri Laloo Prasad Yadav who, as a Central Minister, has committed a serious offence by saying that he will run a bulldozer over Varun’s head.

BJP leaders Sri Ananth Kumar, Sri. R Ashok, Sri. Dhananjaya Kumar and Sri.Lehar Singh were present at the press conference.