Will make sedition law more stringent, says Rajnath Singh

‘BJP only party where ground-level worker can become CM or even PM’

Home Minister Rajnath Singh addresses a poll rally in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh on Thursday.

Hitting out at the Congress for promising to abolish sedition law in its poll manifesto, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said the legislation would be made more stringent after the BJP returns to power at the Centre.

Addressing a rally in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district in support of Ram Swaroop Sharma, who is seeking re-election from the Mandi Lok Sabha seat, he said the Indian economy has become one of the fastest growing economies in the world and the IMF had praised the country for its economic growth.

He also claimed that inflation had been controlled during the five years of BJP rule.

"If voted to power again, the BJP will make provisions of the sedition law more stringent to check anti-national activities," Mr. Singh said, adding India had not acquired even an inch of land of any other country but if any other nation tries to do so, it will prevent it at any cost.

In its poll manifesto, the Congress has promised to abolish the provision of sedition in the IPC and review the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act as well as deployment of the armed forces.

“The BJP is the only party where a ground-level worker can become a Chief Minister and even Prime Minister with his relentless efforts. On the other hand, there is a party which revolves around only a family,” Mr. Singh claimed.

Mr. Ram Swaroop is pitted against Sukh Ram’s grandson Aashray Sharma, who has been fielded from the seat by the Congress.