BJP making castle in air, Modi wave ‘balloon’ likely to burst: Azad

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Apr  7: Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that BJP leaders were making castle in the air and the much-hyped Modi wave is like a new heavier balloon filled with gas, which is likely to burst shortly.
Addressing public rallies and conducting road show at Kootah, Falote, Nagri, Parole, Airwan and Kalibari in Kathua today, Mr Azad said about six-seven months ago, BJP had managed to create phobia that there was strong wave in favour of the party but after the campaign started by Congress and several other national and regional political parties, the so-called BJP wave is disappearing with each passing day.
Mr Azad, who is Congress’ candidate for Kathua-Udhampur-Doda Parliamentary constituency said  few months back, BJP started making castle in the air. But the fact is that  BJP’s castle has no existence at grass- root level. Now, when election campaign is gaining momentum in every  nook and corner of  the country, BJP is finding hard to find a space in the political battle field.  The people of the country are realizing that BJP has no policy and programme for the people.    He also highlighted that “Congress is a reality and BJP is just a dream.”
The AICC  leader reminded the gathering that BJP had made a balloon of  “India Shining” in 2004 and 2009 elections. The people of  India deflated it twice. This time they have blown a new, heavier balloon, the Gujarat model balloon filled with gas which will burst again. He said BJP wave is confined only in media and some urban centres but in majority of the India, there is no such wave, he said, adding “in ground there is strong wave in favour of Congress Party”.
Like in the past, the NDA is playing colourful music and distributing sweets in anticipation of winning the polls, but it will meet the same fate as in 2004 and 2009, he added.
“The UPA Government has performed remarkably well. You don’t get misguided by tall promises”, he said, adding, “Congress spoke about the poor and the common people. The party has always worked for unity and development of the country”.
Seeking to compare the performance of UPA Government with NDA rule, the Congress leader said, “We lifted 15 crore people from poverty in the 10 years which is five times more than that during NDA’s time. The progressive policies of UPA, 70 per cent of the population was above the poverty line and for the remaining 30 per cent efforts were being made to bring them into the fold of the middle class”.
Referring to flagship schemes like MGNREGA, Land Reorganisation Act, RTI, Food Security Bill  and Lokpal legislation to showcase achievements of  Dr Manmohan Singh Government, he said, “BJP tried to create hurdles before enactment of all these schemes and legislations”.
Listing achievements of UPA Government, he said, “India has achieved “near universal education” at the primary school level due to Right to Education and the dropout rate has also come down.  The outlay for education has been constantly increased. Central Universities increased from 17 to 44 during 2004-13″
Mr Azad pointed out that  UPA Government at Centre and NC-Congress coalition in J&K has taken many revolutionary steps for the betterment and up-liftment of  the people. He especially mentioned various steps taken for the development of  Kandi areas of  Kathua district.
Listing pro-people revolutionary steps taken by the UPA Government, he said that Food Security Act was a biggest step in this direction.  “There has been a three-fold increase in food subsidy during UPA tenure. The Food Security Act will entitles 35 kg of food-grains per month and other families for 5 kg per person at subsidized rates”, he said.
Among others who addressed the gathering included Minister of State for Cooperatives, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, MLC- Subash Gupta, former Minister Babu Singh and former MLA, G L Chalotra.

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