Terming the break-up between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal (United) unfortunate, BJP president Rajnath Singh said he was “saddened” by the “unfortunate” walking out of the JD (U) from the National Democratic Alliance and maintained that it would weaken the fight against the Congress.
“It was an emotional relationship”
Mr. Singh said the BJP had always treated the JD (U) as a younger brother and their relationship of 17 years was not a political but an emotional one. He was speaking on Sunday at the ‘Youth for Change 2013’ rally organised by the Delhi Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha at Talkatora Stadium to highlight issues related to the youth. He said there was no reason that any other political party should object to the appointment of a popular and successful Chief Minister such as Narendra Modi as head of the BJP election campaign committee.
The BJP national president said if Mr. Modi was being considered communal because of the 2002 post-Godhra riots, there have been thousands of riots in the 24 years of Congress rule since Independence. He pointed out that in 2000, the BJP was a bigger party than the JD (U) in Bihar as it had 60 seats while the JD (U) won only “36/37 seats” yet it chose a JD (U) leader to become Chief Minister.
“By withdrawing from the alliance JD (U) has weakened our fight against the Congress. By breaking this relationship how do they think that the country can be freed of Congress rule,” he added. Mr. Singh warned the JD (U) that a party which does not care for the feelings of the people in a democratic country cannot survive for long.
The BJP president also slammed the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government on its “failure to generate employment for the youth and for being mired in corruption at all levels”. “The BJP-led NDA Government generated around 7 crore jobs during its tenure whereas the Congress-led UPA Government has failed to create even a fraction of this during the last nine years,” said Mr. Singh.
“Youth facing tough times”
The youth of the Capital have been completely ignored by the Congress Government in Delhi, said Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel. “Whether it is the shortage of college seats or lack of employment seats, the youth of the city are facing a tough time,” he said, adding that the BJP will open 15 new colleges when it comes to power so that all students in Delhi can get admissions.
“The BJP will provide laptops and educational books on concessional rates for the students in the city. It will also set up a Youth Commission to formulate specific policies for the youth in the Capital and to oversee their implementation. The party will ensure that the education is linked to skill development and the city provides enough employment opportunities to the youth,” said the Delhi BJP chief.
