Congress-free India: BJP calls

BJP state president Devendra Fadanvis addressing party workers while former MP Banwarilal Purohit, Mayor Anil Sole and others looks on at Variety square on Saturday.

By Dheeraj Fartode

THE Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a scathing attack on the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the centre and called for a ‘Congress-free India’ as thousands of BJP workers staged protest on Saturday against inflation and corruption in the present regime at Centre.

Thousands of BJP workers, including women workers from city and district, thronged the Variety square at 4 pm raising slogans against the Central Government. However, senior party leaders cancelled the proposed ‘Jail Bharo’ agitation after BJP National President Rajnath Singh directed partymen across the country to concentrate on relief of the flood victims in Uttarakhand. The ‘Jail Bharo’ agitation was planned between June 17 and 30.

BJP State President Devendra Fadnavis, former MP Banwarilal Purohit, Mayor Anil Sole, ZP President Sandhya Gotmare, MLA and BJP City chief Krishna Khopde, MLAs Vikas Kumbhare, Vijay Ghodmare, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, BJP District chief Rajiv Potdar, former standing committee chief Sandip Joshi were present on the dais.

Fadnavis castigated the UPA government over rising inflation, corruption, law and order situation and misuse of CBI. “BJP Campaign Committee Chief Narendra Modi has called for ‘Congress Mukt Bharat’ (Congress-free India). If you want a revolution in country then you must throw out Congress party from national capital,” he exhorted the gathering.

Accusing UPA of large-scale corruption that was leading to inflation Fadnavis said, “The Congress governments, in Delhi and Mumbai, have no sympathy towards common man and his problems.
“If CBI probes all allegations and corruption cases then more than 50 per cent ministers will permanently be in jail. BJP will send all the guilty to jail if the party comes to power in next general elections,” Fadnavis claimed.

Recalling the regime of BJP-led NDA government, Fadnavis said inflation was under control during NDA regime and India’s economy too was shining. He also came down on the silence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on major issues.

Former MP Banwarilal Purohit blasted UPA Government for showing a coward attitude against China and Pakistan. “Chinese army had crossed our border and constructed tents in our area but the UPA Government did not have the courage to crush the enemy. “Pakistan army chopped off heads of our soldiers and one was taken away by Pakistani intruders but our coward government did not initiate any action against Pakistan,” Purohit said.

Purohit praised CAG and Supreme Court for pulling up UPA government over the issues of 2G and Coal-gate. The senior leader also accused the Maharashtra Government of corruption in irrigation projects. “The State government spent Rs 70,000 crore on irrigation projects but not even one per cent land was irrigated,” he said. Mobilising the party workers Purohit asked them to go at every doorstep to bring ‘Ramrajya’ in the country.

MLA Krishna Khopde also blamed the UPA Government for ignoring the sentiments of general public that is reeling under inflation and price rise. Avinash Thakre, Chairman, Standing Committee, NMC, Dr Ravindra Bhoyar, Trustee, Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT), Devendra Dasture, BJYM President Bunty Kukde, Rajesh Bagdi, Ramesh Mankar, Prof Pramod Pendke and others were also present during the agitation. BJP workers also contribuited relief fund under the Lok Kalyan Samiti of the RSS for the victims of natural disaster in Uttarakhand.