Narendra Modi rakes up issue of Bangladeshi infiltration on Independence Day

NEW DELHI: BJP has dismissed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Independence Day address as 'lacklustre and uninspiring' and has asked him to spell out the government's stand on Bangladeshi infiltrators.

"The dream of touching 12% growth rate seems to be impossible and it looks like it will be less than 5%, which is a cause of concern. Today, we should put aside other things and think for the country and work for rebuilding the nation," BJP president Nitin Gadkari said at an I-Day function at the party headquarters in the Capital.

"There are many problems being faced by the people today. Farmers are committing suicide and unemployment and inflation are increasing by day. Price rise has touched a new high," Gadkari said.

In Junagadh, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi described the prime minister's speech as disappointing and alleged that he had adopted 'dual standards' on incidents in Assam and Mumbai in his speech. "You expressed sadness for what happened in Assam, but for the incident that took place in Mumbai, you didn't say a word. For something that is as serious as what took place in Mumbai, how can the prime minister be quiet," he asked.

Singh had described the violence in Assam as unfortunate and said the government was doing everything possible to provide relief to the affected families. "Prime minister, the country wants to know what are you thinking about Bangladeshi infiltration. What are your policies," Modi said.