Date:29/01/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/01/29/stories/2004012907211100.htm

National

Congress coalition, mere wishful thinking: PM

By C.K. Chandramohan

DEHRA DUN, JAN. 28. The Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, today described the talk of a coalition by the Congress as wishful thinking as their coalition experiments in the past had proved disastrous. "We [NDA] alone have the broad vision and the will to carry forward the country through a development era and this has been more than proved by the economic growth and peace efforts made with the neighbours," he said.

Addressing a well-attended Vijay Sankalp rally at the Parade Grounds here, Mr. Vajpayee said there was clear indication of a development wave sweeping across the country. That this wave was in favour of the BJP was more than indicated in the victory of his party in the recent Assembly elections, he said.

The Prime Minister said his Government had succeeded in bringing about peace on the borders through dialogue and persuasion. "They (Pakistan) wanted to talk about Kashmir only but we convinced them to talk about all issues, including trade and movement of citizens from one country to another. We can export several essential items, including foodgrains, to them and import whatever they had surplus."

Although India loved peace and its defence preparedness was a defensive deterrent, no one would be allowed to encroach upon even a single inch of its territory, he said.

India was now in a position to export foodgrains and several other things and lend money to others. As such, the country now deserved friends and not sympathisers, he added.

He called upon the farmers to increase farm production further so that the Government could fulfil its commitment of food-for-all through food security schemes. The quality of farm produce also had to be maintained so that it fetched a better price from countries willing to buy the same.

Rs. 250-cr. grant for Uttarkashi

The Prime Minister announced the grant of Rs. 250 crores for the stabilisation works of the Varunawat hill in Uttarkashi. Nearly half of Uttarkashi city was demolished about four months ago by the fall of massive rocks from the hills. The fall of rocks resumed after the rains a few days ago. Mr. Vajpayee said justice would reach all those affected by the Tehri dam project.