The Hindu : We have bridged the north-south divide, says Vajpayee

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 10, 2002

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We have bridged the north-south divide, says Vajpayee

By Manas Dasgupta

The Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, the Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, and the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mayawati, at an election rally in Ahmedabad on Monday. — Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

AHMEDABAD Dec. 9. The Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, today said that his coalition government had helped bridge the gap between the north and the south.

At an election meeting here, he said, "Earlier there were differences over language; now that is forgotten." He wished more parties would join the coalition government to showcase the country's unity, needed to fight both external and internal threats.

He ridiculed the Congress criticism of the Central and State Governments that they had failed on all fronts. "When the entire world is appreciating the progress the country has made under the present dispensation, the Congress is turning a blind eye." There was no meaning in criticism just for the sake of it.

The country's foreign exchange reserves had increased and the Government's successful foreign policy had succeeded in isolating Pakistan in the comity of nations. "We have turned the tide. Instead of importing foodgrains, India this year exported foodgrains worth over Rs. 6,000 crores to the surprise of the world nations. These are no small achievements."

Like in Jammu and Kashmir, some persons doubted if peaceful elections could be held in Gujarat. "But it has become possible because of the determined administration of Narendra Modi and the co-operation extended by the Centre." He assured the people that the polling in the State would be free and fair.

Even while advising the people to turn out in large numbers to cast their votes, he cautioned them against voting on communal lines — "progress and development should be the only determining factor". Lauding Mr. Modi's "competent leadership and foresight", he said Gujarat had progressed a lot under the BJP administration and "holds a bright future if the people hand over the administration to the correct hands".

While Mr. Vajpayee advised the people not to vote on communal lines, the speakers who addressed the gathering before his arrival overemphasised the communal card. The Health Minister, Ashok Bhatt, used the occasion to vividly recount what he had seen in the "burning train" in Godhra, and asked the people to think of the carnage victims before casting their votes.

The relatively small crowd at the sprawling Kankaria football ground here seemed more attracted to Mr. Modi than Mr. Vajpayee and many started leaving the venue after the Chief Minister completed his brief address. The venue is located in the Maninagar constituency, from where Mr. Modi is contesting.

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