Rajnath Singh plays down Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi’s temple remark

AGRA: Attacking the Congress for questioning the Gujarat model of development, BJP president Rajnath Singh on Sunday asked the party to check the website of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, helmed by Sonia Gandhi, which has appreciated the performance of the state. He also played down party vice president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi's comment on Ram Mandir saying the BJP's stand on the issue was clear.

"I have not listened to what comment has been made by someone. We have already made our stand clear in our manifesto," Singh said. Naqvi had raised the issue of Ram Temple which was seen as contradicting the party's stated position.

Rajnath then attacked the Congress saying, "Congress claims that BJP has failed to explain the Gujarat model to people. It must go to its own website which has appreciated the Modi model, and also advised governments of other state to opt for similar development techniques," Singh said at a public meeting at Awalkherda, 30km from Agra.

Congress fears that if people get to know about Gujarat's development, it will lose its vote bank, he said. The BJP leader reserved a major section of his speech for the party's prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, counting his achievements in Gujarat and seeking support for BJP.

Hitting out at Congress, Singh said even America believes that there is a Modi wave in India, which is evident from the fact that it has initiated talks with him after denying him visa earlier.

Singh also promised to launch 'Kisan Lagat Yojana' (policy to cover initial expenses of farmers) instead of 'Kisan Bima Yojana' (policy cover for agricultural output) if BJP comes to power.

He appealed to the locals of the Thakur-dominated area to vote for BJP candidate, Chaudhary Babulal (Fatehpur Sikri) and Ram Shankar Katheria (Agra city) for all-round development of 'Braj' region.