PM accuses BJP of dividing people on communal lines

New Delhi, Mar 24 (PTI) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh Tuesday came down heavily on opposition BJP, accusing it
of dividing the people on the basis of communal agenda.

Releasing the Congress manifesto for 2009 Lok Sabha
(Lower House of Indian Parliament) polls along with party
President Sonia Gandhi, he termed BJP's defence of Varun
Gandhi's comments with communal overtone as shameful.

He said Left parties and BJP have "negative mindset"
which cannot take the nation forward.

NDA and Third Front do not have the capacity to meet the
challenges facing the nation, Singh said.

He reminded the people of the "historic opportunity" to
decide the path they would like to follow in the next five
year.

The Prime Minister said if the country had a strong and
purposeful government, "India can be a source of inspiration
to rebuild more prosperous and more equitable South
Asia".(

The Prime Minister expressed anguish over the
instability in neighbouring countries. "If I look at the
challenges around India, I see instability," he said.

He said Pakistan was facing terrorism and pointed out
at events in neighbouring Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

"These are all events which cause worry about future
of South Asia," he said.

The Prime Minister said the Congress President has
explained why it was necessary for the party to come back to
to power to meet the enormous challenges the country faced.

"When I look at the opportunities, I am convinced that
this country can move forward on road to faster growth", he
said, adding the benefits of developments can be passed on to
each sections of society particularly scheduled castes,
scheduled tribes and minorities.

He said under Gandhi's leadership, the UPA has worked
tirelessly to fulfil the promises made in the Common Minimum
Programme and the Congress manifesto.

Referring to the Mumbai terror strikes, the Indian
Prime Minister said the attackers were from Pakistan and hoped
Islamabad would take steps to punish guilty.

"We still believe that diplomacy should be given a
chance," he said adding that no purpose would be served by
creating a war hysteria.

The Prime Minister said diplomatic efforts have
succeeded and for the first time Pakistan has admitted that
its citizen was involved in the horrible act.

"I can't say we are fully satisfied with actions taken
by Pakistan in connection with Mumbai attacks," he said adding
that Pakistan must take next consequential steps to ensure
perpetrators of Mumbai attacks are brought to justice.

To question as to who was the main adversary of the
Congress in the ensuing polls -- BJP or the Third Front -- he
said in politics all adversaries shold be taken seriously.

"But we are prepared to meet the challenges both right
as well as the Left," he said, adding communalism was the
greatest challenge. "If we do not roll back communal forces,
India's unity, integrity and prosperity will be in danger".

To a question on the Sachar committee recommendations
on the welfare of Muslims, the Prime Minister said many of the
suggestions have been accepted particularly on education of
children, especially girls.

Observing that much needed to be done, he said though
the quota of minorities in government jobs has been increased,
efforts should be made to increase it further.

Asked how he felt on being projected as the Prime
Ministerial candidate outside the Nehru-Gandhi family, Singh
said it was a great honour and great privilege for him.

He expressed confidence that the government would do
better in the future under the leadership of Gandhi.

Turning to economy, the Prime Minister said economic
activities would be revived in a big way in the next six to
seven months due to the stimulus package announced by the
government. PTI