ID :
55002
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 07:26
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/55002
The shortlink copeid
Indian PM accuses Left, Third Front of weakening secular
Kochi, Apr 11 (PTI) Opening his election campaign in
the Communist bastion, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
accused the Left and the Third Front of weakening secular
forces and helping installation of a communal government led
by the BJP.
He also said the Communists were often on the "wrong
side" of history.
"The Left Front or the so-called Third Front can never
by themselves for a government at the Centre. They can only
divide the secular votes. Thereby, they can only strengthen
the BJP," he said addressing an election meeting at the nearby
Veli grounds in Pallurthy near here in India's southern state
of Kerala, the first after his recovery from the recent heart
bypass surgery.
Singh said the people of Kerala, a state known for its
communal amity and harmony, should ponder if they approve of
the role of the Left Front in weakening the secular forces at
the Centre and install a communal government led by the BJP.
Singh asked the people to choose between the stability
of the Congress and the coalition of parties which have come
together only by the "glue of government" in which there will
be a continuous struggle for power.
Needling the Communists, "The Left that rules the
state has unfortunately often been on the wrong side of
history. When Mahatma Gandhi started Quit India movement the
Left did not participate in it. When India became Independent,
they said this independence is not for real," he said.
Singh said in 1960s when the then Prime Minister late
Indira Gandhi ushered in Green Revolution, the Left opposed it
saying it was only for the benefit of foreign seed companies.
Similarly, he said, when Rajiv Gandhi started the
communication revolution they opposed it saying it will take
away jobs.
"When our government started nuclear deal with the US
to end India's nuclear isolation and to provide the
much-needed energy for development, the Left opposed and
walked out of our government. Time will prove the wisdom of
our decision," the prime minister said.
The Prime Minister said the people of Kerala would
choose the Congress candidates with a thumping majority and
not support those who play on the emotions for narrow partisan
political ends.
He said the Left Front has been using ideology as a
cover for opportunity and the people of Kerala will recognise
this hypocrisy.
Singh also attacked the Left Front in Kerala
contending that the "unfriendly" policies of the state
government have kept people away from development.
He accused the Left Front government of "squandering
and wasting" opportunities for development by pursuing
"restrictive policies" and suggested that several districts
bordering Kerala have emerged as investment destinations.
The Prime Minister wondered "Why districts bordering
Kerala are seen as investment destinations and why have
Kanyakumari, Coimbatore and Mangalore have become boom towns."
He alleged that the Left Front had even tried to
obstruct development efforts of the government at the Centre
and Kerala was the only state where projects to build highways
were facing stiff opposition.
"The approach of the LDF government is not favourable
to investments," the prime minister said adding that the youth
of Kerala have not been given their due.
Referring to the Rs 3000-crore Vallarpadam
International Transhipment Container Terminal project, Singh
said if only the present Kerala government had not taken such
a long time for land acquisition and supporting activities, it
would have been inaugurated early this year.
Describing terrorism as a "major challenge" that the
country was facing now, the Prime minister said the
environment in India's neighbourhood was one of "instability"
and "violence".
"We need to face this challenge without giving it
communal overtones", he said.
"Terrorism today has international and inter-state
dimension. To tackle it, the country requires the leadership
of a party that has a truly national character and that can
respond to complex issues in a coordinated manner," Singh
said. PTI TKK
PMR
NNNN
the Communist bastion, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
accused the Left and the Third Front of weakening secular
forces and helping installation of a communal government led
by the BJP.
He also said the Communists were often on the "wrong
side" of history.
"The Left Front or the so-called Third Front can never
by themselves for a government at the Centre. They can only
divide the secular votes. Thereby, they can only strengthen
the BJP," he said addressing an election meeting at the nearby
Veli grounds in Pallurthy near here in India's southern state
of Kerala, the first after his recovery from the recent heart
bypass surgery.
Singh said the people of Kerala, a state known for its
communal amity and harmony, should ponder if they approve of
the role of the Left Front in weakening the secular forces at
the Centre and install a communal government led by the BJP.
Singh asked the people to choose between the stability
of the Congress and the coalition of parties which have come
together only by the "glue of government" in which there will
be a continuous struggle for power.
Needling the Communists, "The Left that rules the
state has unfortunately often been on the wrong side of
history. When Mahatma Gandhi started Quit India movement the
Left did not participate in it. When India became Independent,
they said this independence is not for real," he said.
Singh said in 1960s when the then Prime Minister late
Indira Gandhi ushered in Green Revolution, the Left opposed it
saying it was only for the benefit of foreign seed companies.
Similarly, he said, when Rajiv Gandhi started the
communication revolution they opposed it saying it will take
away jobs.
"When our government started nuclear deal with the US
to end India's nuclear isolation and to provide the
much-needed energy for development, the Left opposed and
walked out of our government. Time will prove the wisdom of
our decision," the prime minister said.
The Prime Minister said the people of Kerala would
choose the Congress candidates with a thumping majority and
not support those who play on the emotions for narrow partisan
political ends.
He said the Left Front has been using ideology as a
cover for opportunity and the people of Kerala will recognise
this hypocrisy.
Singh also attacked the Left Front in Kerala
contending that the "unfriendly" policies of the state
government have kept people away from development.
He accused the Left Front government of "squandering
and wasting" opportunities for development by pursuing
"restrictive policies" and suggested that several districts
bordering Kerala have emerged as investment destinations.
The Prime Minister wondered "Why districts bordering
Kerala are seen as investment destinations and why have
Kanyakumari, Coimbatore and Mangalore have become boom towns."
He alleged that the Left Front had even tried to
obstruct development efforts of the government at the Centre
and Kerala was the only state where projects to build highways
were facing stiff opposition.
"The approach of the LDF government is not favourable
to investments," the prime minister said adding that the youth
of Kerala have not been given their due.
Referring to the Rs 3000-crore Vallarpadam
International Transhipment Container Terminal project, Singh
said if only the present Kerala government had not taken such
a long time for land acquisition and supporting activities, it
would have been inaugurated early this year.
Describing terrorism as a "major challenge" that the
country was facing now, the Prime minister said the
environment in India's neighbourhood was one of "instability"
and "violence".
"We need to face this challenge without giving it
communal overtones", he said.
"Terrorism today has international and inter-state
dimension. To tackle it, the country requires the leadership
of a party that has a truly national character and that can
respond to complex issues in a coordinated manner," Singh
said. PTI TKK
PMR
NNNN
