Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi said a solution to issues can only be found if there is “strong leadership” at the Centre with a person “leading from the front”. He attacked the “weak” policies of the UPA government towards its neighbours.
“Delhi is not interested in Army welfare but on when the next tender is,” he said. He also demanded a white paper from the government on the “one rank one pension” issue for retired servicemen.
Such was the enthusiasm among people, who had gathered from across Rewari and neighbouring districts to listen to Mr Modi, that the venue — Secretariat Ground — which organisers claimed has the capacity for more than two lakh people, was brimming.
Asking Pakistan to shun its anti-India attitude and stop backing terrorism against India, Mr Modi said if Pakistan resolves not to allow terrorists to operate in their country for 10 years, it will see a progress it has not seen in the last 60 years. Earlier, he said that Pakistan’s intentions are not honourable while referring to killing of Indian soldiers by the Pakistani Army.
Amid a thundering applause, Mr Modi said: “I want to tell the rulers, whether it is of Bangladesh, India or Pakistan, if we have to fight, we should fight against poverty, illiteracy and other ills.”
Lashing out at the Centre, along with defence minister A.K. Antony, for his statement in Parliament on the killing of five Indian soldiers, he Gujarat chief minister said: “It is unfortunate that the country’s defence minister makes a statement in Parliament that someone came in Pakistani soldiers’ uniform and killed our soldiers... It must have pained our soldiers.” Attacking the government for its foreign polices, he said, “Every day we are facing problems... Pakistan is not giving up its design... China is showing us its might by intrusions... Is keen to stop the Brahmaputra river water and wants to take control over Arunachal Pradesh.”
Maintaining that the rally is the “call for change” and that the “land of Haryana has challenged the Delhi sultanate”, Mr Modi said “when you are standing amid the Army on the battlefield, then your ability to lead is seen... The one who leads should have capacity, a war strategy and the yearning to be in the front.”
Without naming anyone or any political outfit, Mr Modi attacked the BJP’s former ally JD(U), which snapped their 17-year-old alliance over his elevation. “It is the height of shamelessness when a public representative says that people join the Army to die. No leader, no political party would have humiliated (the forces) more than this... If you cannot recognise the sacrifice of people in the armed forces, don’t insult the soldiers who are fighting for the security of the country,” he said.