Ghaziabad: Starting his speech by paying homage to Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw on his 100th birth anniversary, Bharatiya Janata Party prime ministerial candidate once again tore into the Congress accusing it of playing communal politics. Addressing a rally on Thursday in Indirapuram area of Ghaziabad from where former Army Chief General VK Singh is the party candidate, Modi said that while even a Parsi (Field Marshal Manekshaw) could become the chief of the Indian Army, yet the Congress-led UPA government under Sonia Gandhi's instructions ordered a count of soldiers based on religion which was thwarted by senior defence officers.
Modi said he was honoured to address a rally in Ghaziabad and seek vote for General (retd) VK Singh on the birth centenary of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, who was one of the finest Army Chiefs. "After serving the Indian Army with distinction, General Singh joined BJP. He knows we are a nationalist party. Our aim to work for the country," he said.
As the crowd shouted pro-BJP slogans, the Gujarat Chief Minister said that while his party pursued an inclusive policy, the Congress was busy dividing the country on religious lines. Raking up the issue of Sonia Gandhi meeting Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari, he asked the Election Commission to take suo moto cognizance of the matter and act against the Congress. Modi said that BJP wanted development for all but the Congress had been fooling the country since Independence and never worked to make India a strong and self-reliant country.
"Whenever BJP talks of development, Congress replies by raising the issue of secularism. When we talk about the poor state of defence preparedness. they say let's talks about secularism; when we talk about farmers' suicide, they chant secularism; when we talks about corruption, they want a debate on secularism. They are afraid that a 'chaiwala' (tea vendor) is challenging them. The UPA government always pits one community against another, they are indulging in vote bank politics. They want to add a communal colour to this election," said Modi amidst chants of 'Har Har Modi, Ghar Ghar Modi' by his supporters.
"Let us aim for 300 seats. If there is strong government at the Centre, then our neighbours will not dare to challenge us. India has 125 crore people, its Army is the finest fighting force yet China and Pakistan challenge us because we have a weak Central government," he said.
Blaming the Congress for rising prices and poor economy, Modi said all the citizens of the country must take a pledge to ensure that India of tomorrow is a developed nation and that would be possible only of there is a BJP government at the Centre.
"Look at the state of economy today. Prices are rising and everyone if finding it difficult to manage the household budget. The present government is not worried about the plight of farmers. Farmers are committing suicide but there is no help at hand. The government is encouraging meat export but not giving any help to those farmers who want to rear animals or grow crops. The emphasis on pink revolution instead of green and white revolution will ruin our economy and farmers," he said.
Exhorting the people to come out in large number on April 10 and vote for General Singh in Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar candidate Dr Mahesh Sharma, Modi pointed fingers at the UPA claiming that the present government was responsible for the ills facing the country. He said that the country would benefit greatly if people like General Singh and Dr Sharma would be in the government.
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