By IANS,
Kanpur : Attacking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for practising “politics of hate and divisiveness”, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Friday that only the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) could provide a stable government, especially with growing terror incidents in the neighbourhood.
Addressing an election rally, Manmohan Singh said: “The situation is undoubtedly challenging for us. And in such a scenario, only the Congress party can provide the desired leadership to the country.”
Attacking the BJP, the prime minister said the BJP was indulging in the politics of “divisiveness”.
“While the BJP only practises politics of hate and divisiveness, the Congress party always works for development. If you see the past record of the Congress, you will find the party has undertaken developmental schemes in various sectors,” he added.
On tackling terrorism, he said: “We have taken steps to strengthen our intelligence agencies with a special emphasis on their modernisation and training.”
“In its efforts to contain terror, the Congress government has given special attention to ensure people of any specific religion or community are not targeted in the name of tackling terror,” he added.
Replying to the BJP’s repeated charge that his government’s response to the recent terrorist strikes was weak, the prime minister recalled the Kandahar plane hijack, the attack on the Red Fort and the parliament complex, and said: “All these attacks took place in the BJP regime.”
“Taking all this into account, the question arises that on what basis is our political opponent (BJP) claiming to give a ‘decisive and strong government’ to the country.”
He also accused the Uttar Pradesh government of not making proper use of central funds meant for development of the state.
Manmohan Singh also attacked Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati for frequently transferring government officials. “Frequent transfers make officials afraid and their morale too goes down, adversely affecting their work.”
On the BJP and Third Front, he said, “Neither do they have any common programme nor do they have farsightedness. Now you decide whom you should vote for.”
On the global financial recession, he said: “India too is experiencing the recession, but its impact is far less as compared to America and European countries.”
He said the Congress party can tackle the recession effectively and lead the country.
He also referred to the importance of Uttar Pradesh in the country’s politics, saying: “The state has given the country’s several important leaders. Not only this, the state has also given four prime ministers to the country. With this UP acquires a significant place in the politics.”
“If you want to revive the significance of Uttar Pradesh, you must bring Congress to power,” he added.