Former Army Chief General VK Singh joins BJP, tells BJP is the only Nationalist Party.

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V K Singh joins BJP, says it is only nationalist party.

NEW DELHI | PTI | March 1, 2014:: Former Army chief Gen V K Singh, who was engaged in a long-drawn battle with the government over his age issue, on Saturday joined BJP, saying it is the only "nationalist" party which he wants to see in power. 

Gen Singh, who joined the BJP along with a number of other ex-servicemen in presence of party president Rajnath Singh, said the troops should support it so that a "stable, strong and nationalist" government is formed.

Jai Jawan. Jai Kishan. Jai Vijnan. WELCOME EX GEN SRI VK SINGH and ALL FRIENDS FROM ARMY, NAVY & AIR FORCE, RAW, IAS & IPS and other services. ~ MODI TIMES. 

"I saw only BJP as nationalist party," he said while explaining the reason for joining the party. 

"We, who have served on borders, should work with nationalist forces. So, we have decided to move with BJP to bring a government which is stable, strong and takes decisions in national interest, said the 63-year-old who retired in May 2012. 

He expressed confidence that the enthusiasm of the servicemen will make BJP stronger.

  

Welcoming him into BJP, Rajnath Singh said if BJP comes to power, it will take good care of the armed forces.

He used the occasion to attack the UPA government, saying it has not looked after the armed forces well. In this context, he cited the recent mishaps involving the Navy.

The BJP chief also attacked the government over ceasefire violations by Pakistan, including beheading of two Indian soldiers, and intrusions by China.

Gen (retd) joined BJP months after he shared dais with its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi at an ex-servicemen rally in Rewari in Haryana.

Courtesy: TOI | NDTV.

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Narendra Modi warns China, says no power can snatch Arunachal from us.

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Modi advises China to shed its 'expansionist' attitude

Rahul Karmakar and agencies, Hindustan Times  Pasighat (Arunachal Pradesh), February 22, 2014::The nearest point on the India-China border is 35km east of Pasighat. In 2009, China had objected to the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the state. In 2012, it again objected to defence minister AK Antony's visit, saying "it would complicate the border issue".

Pasighat was the first stop of his second poll campaign across northeast within a fortnight. Silchar in Assam and Tripura capital Agartala were the next.

Read: Modi raises poll pitch in Assam, attacks Congress

"China should shed its expansionist policy and forge bilateral ties with India for peace, progress and prosperity of both the nations," said Modi.

India and China have fought a brief war in 1962 over differences on the border. China lays claim to more than 90,000 sq km disputed by New Delhi in the eastern sector of the Himalayas, while India says China occupies 38,000 square km of its territory on the Aksai Chin plateau in the west.

China has grown increasingly assertive and questioned India's claims over the territory, calling it instead South Tibet.

"Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and will always remain so. No power can snatch it from us. People of Arunachal Pradesh didn't come under pressure or fear of China," he said.

"I swear in the name of this soil that I will never allow the state to disappear...breakdown and to bow down," Modi said to a thunderous applause from people gathered near the mighty Siang River.

Read: China intrudes into Arunachal, stays on for 3 days

He said China needs to change its stand.

"China should adopt the plank of development. Focus is on the development all over the world," the Gujarat chief minister said.

Modi lauded the "brave" people of Arunchal and said that because of them, who were guarding the state as well as the country as sentinels, the northeastern remained an integral part of the country.

"The people here are real patriots as they salute their counterparts with 'Jai Hind' and are zealously protecting the state's territory... They gave a befitting reply to the advancing Chinese army during 1962 and the British and several army personnel from the state also fought with Pakistan during the Kargil war," he said.

Read: PM has failed Assam; Nido's death 'national shame', says Modi

While directly referring to the killing of Arunachal Pradesh youth Nido Taniam in Delhi, Modi cautioned the UPA government against underestimating the people of the state and added that it was the duty of the entire nation to protect the people and the state's territorial integrity.

Elaborating on BJP's mantra for development of the northeast, Modi pitched for the "three H" model of the growth for Arunachal Pradesh.

"Herbal, horticulture and handicrafts - these three Hs can give lot of opportunities to the people here," Modi said.

"Arunachal can be the world environment capital. It is no less than Switzerland," he said.

Read: Modi wave may not be enough to sweep Congress out in northeast

Making a scathing attack on Congress governments, both at the Centre as well as in the state, for their failure in meeting the aspirations of the people, he said, "Neither dynasty nor casteism will benefit the country. Country will be benefited from development and 2014 elections will be fought on the development plank."

He also said that Congress government at the Centre does not listen to its own government in Arunacahal Pradesh.

"You need a government which is sensitive to the problems of every part of the country. The state does not have any opportunity in education or employment to offer the youth."

"There were special provisions in the budget for the development of northeast and Sikkim during A B Vajpayeeji's time," he said, adding "lotus will again bloom in the region."

Making an attempt to bond with the state, he said, "I come from Gujarat, a land that has very old and close relations with Arunachal Pradesh. The relation between Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh brings the eastern and western part of our country together."

He also said that the "first rays of the sun bless this land. Arunachal Pradesh wakes up first and then the rest of India rises. The final rays of the sun set in Gujarat and tell us, we will rise again tomorrow in Arunachal Pradesh."

At Silchar, Modi flayed the Congress for catering to Bangladeshi infiltrators for political gain. "Two sets of people come from Bangladesh – one under a conspiracy to outnumber locals and the other that are forced to flee. The latter are Bengali Hindus, who the Congress targets by marking them as D-voters," he said.

Bengalis form almost 25% of Assam's voters. They form the bulk of 1.43lakh voters marked 'D', meaning 'doubtful'.

Vowing to scrap the list if the BJP comes to power, Modi also outlined the BJP's plans for tea plantation workers "exploited by Congress" for decades. Tea plantation workers – Adivasis from central India – have traditionally been a major Congress vote bank after Muslims.

Former Arunachal chief minister and Congress veteran Gegong Apang, who recently joined the BJP, also belongs to the Adi (hill man) tribe.

Going back to another favourite topic — mythology — Modi suggested the Modis inhabited the eastern and western ends of India because of Krishna and his wife Rukmini. “If we (Gujarat) have Dwarka, Krishna’s kingdom, you have the birthplace of Rukmini,” he said in Pasighat. Rukmini is fabled to have been born in Rukmininagar near Roing, headquarters of Lower Dibang Valley district.

At his last stop, Agartala in Left-ruled Tripura, he took on the “third front” driven by the Left parties. “The third front is like migratory birds that will vanish after the elections. We need a strong government at the Centre that can bring real development.”

Modi is looking for a foothold in the region whose party does not boast of any influence in the eight states.

The Christian-majority population in some hill states, the status of the Congress as the only "national party brand", more trust in regional parties and perception of the BJP as being "too Hindi belt" are the major factors behind its dismal presence in the region.

Modi's elevation as his party's prime ministerial nominee has coincided with a slide in the BJP's fortunes in the northeast, which offers 25 MPs.

@ Hindu migrants from Bangladesh must be accommodated in Bharat: Narendra Modi (Silchar Meeting). http://wp.me/pCXJT-3wx

@ No power in this world can snatch away our territory: Narendra Modi (Pasighat Meeting). http://wp.me/pCXJT-3wx

@ China should also reject mentality of aggression: (Pasighat Meeting). http://wp.me/pCXJT-3wx

@ People of Assam troubled by infiltration from Bangladesh: Narendra Modi (Both in Silchar and Pasighat).  http://wp.me/pCXJT-3wx

Courtesy: Hindustan Times: Hindu Existence.

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No other option than Modi: Amit Shah

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Narendra Modi at helm has created anti-incumbency for parties: Amit Shah 

By Palak Shah, ET Bureau | 10 Feb, 2014:: BJP PM candidate's confidant Amit Shah says Narendra Modi's leadership has generated anti-incumbency for other parties across the country because of his 'proven administrative efficiency.' In an interview to Palak Shah, he says if his leader contests from UP, BJP would make huge gains. Excerpts:

What do you feel now that the CBI has given you a clean chit in the Ishrat Jahan case?

I feel that it is the end of debate (charcha). Nothing else. These things don't affect me. I'm always at peace.

How well will BJP do in Uttar Pradesh, where you have been busy?

The environment is good. The BJP will emerge as the largest party.

How many seats?

Until the candidates are declared, we cannot say anything. If somebody gives any estimate before candidates' list, their prediction would be wrong. But the mood is in favour of BJP. There is a wave in favour of Modi. UP wants change. But I do not want to get into this prediction game before candidates are declared.

Will your UP list have radical changes?

There is some difference every time. I cannot give you details just to make headlines for your newspaper.

When will your list be out?

We have not decided yet. The BJP parliamentary board will decide. It is difficult to give a date.

Will Narendra Modi contest from UP?

That is yet to be decided. Modiji will definitely fight the Lok Sabha elections. But the place is yet to be decided.

Would he contest from Gujarat and UP?

How can we say before it is decided by the party?

By when will it be decided?

Even that is not decided.

Won't it be of help if Modi decides to contest from Uttar Pradesh?

Yes, I can say for sure that if he contests from UP, BJP will make good gains in the state. But I would still like to add that it is yet to be decided as to where Modiji would contest from.

What is your Uttar Pradesh strategy?

The anti-incumbency against SP and Congress is so strong that there is no need to make a strategy exposing them. People have not forgotten the corruption of BSP and deterioration of law and order after SP came to power. It has turned the entire state against the SP government. In my entire career, I have not seen any political party in our country lose its popularity as fast as SP did after coming to power. SP has raced towards unpopularity and people have pinned hopes on BJP now. 
The difference in Narendra Modi's leadership will be seen in all areas. It has generated anti incumbency for other political parties in the country. We can show that the leadership of Modiji is not based on loose talk but proven administrative efficiency. He has given a concrete leadership to Gujarat in 12 years.

This time, the caste arithmetic favours BJP. The entire Backward Castes are attracted towards us. All parties except BJP in UP have demanded minority reservation based on religion, which has angered OBCs. So they have pinned their hope on BJP.

Where does BJP stand on minority reservation?

BJP has vocally opposed it. It is unconstitutional. There is no provision for minority reservation based on religion in the Constitution. Also, given the 50% cap on all reservations and given that Scheduled Castes and Tribes have constitutionally guaranteed reservations within this, another form of reservation linked to religion will have to happen at the cost of OBCs. We will not support policies that lessen or take away the rights of OBCs.

But then isn't economic backwardness among Muslims a reality?

If Muslims get reservation on the basis of their caste we have no objection, but we will object and oppose if they get reservation on the basis of their religion. There are some castes among Muslims that fall in the OBC category. We have no objection to reservations for them.  Those who are Backward among Muslims and other religions can already avail of reservation benefits. We do not oppose any reservation to them.

But why promote this idea of reservation based on religion? BJP is against the idea of reservation based on religion. We do not want to divide the country based on religion. But whoever falls under the definition of OBC and other such categories has a right to reservation constitutionally irrespective of religion. 

Courtesy: Economic Times.

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Narendra Modi describes Samajwadi Party as 'Samajvirodhi Party'. Blames SP for law and order in UP.

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Narendra Modi blames SP for law and order in UP

IANS | Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) | February 02, 2104::  In a scathing attack on the Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi Sunday blamed it for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

"Has anybody thought about the law and order situation of the state (UP)?" Modi asked at a rally here, adding that the SP should be called the "Samajvirodhi Party" instead of Samajwadi Party.

Asserting that the law and order situation in the state has deteriorated over the last decade, the BJP's prime ministerial candidate asked people whether they felt their women were safe under the current regime.

"Women are scared of venturing out of their homes..., I urge you to at least ensure the safety and security of women in the state," Modi said, addressing SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

Challenging the SP regime on the development plank, he said: "If you want to compete with Modi, improve the law and order situation, give electricity to the villages and improve the lot of farmers, and then compete."

"Compete on the issues of development," he said, adding that the SP will not do that as they don't want to address these issues.

Courtesy: IANS.

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Modi attacks Congress over lack of war memorial. Paid tribute to 'Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon' .

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Modi attended 51 anniversary of 'Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon' sung by Lata Mangeshkar.

India only nation without a war memorial, says Narendra Modi

NDTV | Mumbai | Edited by Nadim Asrar | 27 January 2014:: Narendra Modi used a moment of nostalgia to score a political point today, when he attacked the ruling Congress for failing to construct a war memorial for martyred soldiers. 

"I feel some good things have been left for me to do," the BJP's prime ministerial candidate said after observing that India was the only country without a war memorial to "honour their sacrifice." The BJP is upbeat about its prospects in the general elections due by May after several surveys have predicted a good showing by the party. 

The crowd roared slogans like, "Modi lao desh bachao (bring Modi, save the nation)."

Mr Modi was in Mumbai to felicitate legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar on the 51st anniversary of her song 'Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon' sung as a tribute to India's soldiers who died in the 1961 war with China.

Mr Modi also observed that the first time Ms Mangeshkar sang the song, composed by C Ramchandra and written by Kavi Pradeep, was on January 27, 1963, with the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru present. "Lata didi has reconnected us to the past. We are fortunate that Nehru first heard it and now we have," Mr Modi said. (Highlights of Narendra Modi's speech)

The audience at the Mahalaxmi Race Course was predominantly made up of armed forces personnel and Mr Modi's speech was addressed to them and to the massive constituency of soldiers across the country. Apart from promising them the memorial, the BJP leader also referred to the emotive issue of the beheading of an Indian soldier by Pakistani troops last year, cyber attacks by China and the alleged lack of funding for acquisition of weaponry. 

The 63-year-old leader said India has the potential to be a military powerhouse. "If India decides, and has the right leadership and policies, within 10 years we will be in a position to export arms," Mr Modi said.

Standing beside Ms Mangeshkar, who is known for her fondness for the Gujarat Chief Minister, Mr Modi even broke into the song and sang with others present. 

In her speech, Ms Mangeshkar, denied that the event had a political colour and said, "I thank the organisers that I got an opportunity to meet Narendra bhai."

Ms Mangeshkar was also a special guest in November last year at the inauguration of a hospital in Pune in memory of the singer's father.

"Everyone in India wants to see Narendra Modi as prime minister," Ms Mangeskhar had said at the Pune event, generating a political controversy.

News Courtesy: NDTV. Photo Courtesy: The Hindu.

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65th Republic Day Message of Sri Narendra Bhai Modi.

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Looking towards the future and strengthening our Republic with the motto of India First: Narendra Modi on 65th Republic Day.

Dear Friends,

Today, we celebrate our 65th Republic Day. 64 years ago, on this very day; we formally became a Republic and adopted our Constitution. Today is a day of national strength and self confidence.

Republic Day fills each and every one of us with strong emotions. It brings to mind powerful images of India’s military, parading to the world its full might and grandeur. It makes us salute once again the selfless patriotism of our women and men in uniform. It inspires us with the moving accounts of the bravery and gallantry award winners.

Today is also a day to look back and cherish our glorious past! Remember the sacrifices of the great women and men of the freedom struggle. Remember the members of the Constituent Assembly, who gave us in our Constitution a rooting force we can be very proud of. Today we renew our faith and commitment in this sacred text that has made India what it is. We pay our tributes to the venerable Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, whose anchoring role can never be forgotten.

Importantly, today is also a day for introspection. What does the Republic of India stand for? What does it mean to us? What direction has it been headed in over the last seven decades? And what does it need to do in the coming years?

One phrase that has been gaining significant traction of-late is the ‘Idea of India’. Public and academic discourse around this has been hijacked by a select few, becoming a powerful tool in furthering their hegemony over the same. Many have asked me in lengthy op-eds, on social media and so on that “Modi ji everything else is alright but what is your Idea of India”? Others have not been so kind, preferring to debate my party’s very suitability with this ‘Idea of India’ itself.

However, one must understand that no single person or entity can appropriate the ‘Idea of India’. BJP’s National Council Meet last week gave me the opportunity to share some glimpses into what my ‘Idea of India’ was as well.

First and foremost, my understanding of the ‘Idea of India’ fundamentally rejects such a hegemonic conceptualization of an ‘Idea of India’. The Rig Veda teaches us: ‘आ नो भद्राः क्रतवो यन्तु विश्वतः’. That is ‘let noble thoughts flow from all sides’! This is not just a mantra, but a central tenet of our Constitution as well. Ours is a path of tolerance. Of the celebration of diversity. Where every Indian not just envisions, but works towards building the India of his or her dreams. My ‘Idea of India’ calls not just for tolerance, but a celebration of all points of view. Where the sensibilities of every individual are respected.

Truth, Peace and Non-violence form the central tenets of the ‘Idea of India’!Our scriptures teach ‘सत्यमेव जयते’, that Truth alone triumphs. I am committed to such an India where the wheels of justice move quickly and equally for every Indian irrespective of his class, caste or creed. An India where injustice has no legal nor moral validity. Read more here>>>

Let us have faith in our nation and our people. Let us walk the path shown by our great leaders, as a fitting tribute to their selfless sacrifice. Let us devote ourselves to the cause of nation building with the mantra of ‘India First’! Let us together build a nation that once again redefines the story of mankind!

Forever yours in this journey of development,

Narendra Modi

26-01-2014.

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Vote For India: Narendra Modi.

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Not for Party, Not for any Personality, Vote for Country.
VOTE FOR INDIA: NARENDRA MODI. 

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"The Congress run central government has been paralysed. They are doing only Akashwani": Narendra Modi in Ranchi Rally.

Rahul Gandhi only coming out with "akashwani" : Narendra Modi at Ranchi rally

PTI | Ranchi | Dec 29, 2013:: BJP's PM candidate Narendra Modi Sunday targeted Rahul Gandhi yet again, saying while nothing is being done to check price rise and corruption, the Congress leader has been only coming out with "akashwani" (celestial voices).

Modi's made these remarks at the rally apparently referring to Congress Vice-President's meeting with Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states in Delhi on Friday during which he asked them to check prices and implement the Lokayukta Act on the lines of Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill.

Gandhi had disapproved of the Maharashtra government's decision to reject the Adarsh Commission's report on the society building scam.

"In ancient times, people heard akashwani (celestial voices) that came as if they (voices) were not concerned about the happenings around....Today, there is akashwani that CMs will do this, CMs will do that. People who are involved in corruption....if there is honesty in the words of people who do akashwani, then they should respond as to how corruption developed under Congress in Jharkhand," Modi said without naming Gandhi.

He said Congress leaders were doing the same today.

Attacking Congress, Modi said the ruling party at the Centre has become a "liability" and a "crisis" for the country as it has lost connection with the masses.

"Congress party, its governments and its leaders cannot listen to the voices of the people....People today want development, not division, they want opportunity, not political opportunism, they want security, not poison of communalism," he said.

Attacking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the issue of inflation, the Gujarat Chief Minister said despite holding a meeting of Chief Ministers on price rise three years ago, the government has so far failed to take any steps in that regard.

He claimed that he was made a head of a committee to recommend steps to curb price rise.

"There were two other CMs from UPA and Congress-ruled states. We gave 62 actionable points and recommended 20 initiatives. The PM said we did a good job. But two-and-a-half years have lapsed and no action has been taken. The central government has been paralysed," Modi said.

Modi - Ram combination for 2014 Lok Sabha Poll.

Ramdev to go on door-to-door campaign for Narendra Modi

TNN | Bangalore | Dec 29, 2013:: Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Saturday said he will organize a door-to-door campaign—Vote for Modi—in the run up to the 2014 polls.

Ramdev, who was speaking at the Press Club, came down heavily on the Nehru family and the Congress. "Corruption exists in all parties. But politicians like Modi, Mamata Banerjee and Naveen Patnaik are not corrupt. The difference between the Congress and the BJP is that even the top leaders of the former are corrupt," he said.

Referring to Rahul Gandhi as a 'baccha', he said Modi is like the Himalayas and Rahul is too small. "Rahul has become a zero from hero. He hasn't done anything in the past 10 years, what will he do now," he said. He said he hopes to get answers from Modi on January 5 regarding problems faced by the common man in the fields of agriculture, education and health.

The yoga guru didn't even spare the new Delhi chief minister. "Arvind Kejriwal made three mistakes. He didn't stick to his promise of neither lending nor taking support from any party. He went on to take support from the Congress. He also passed comments against Anna Hazare," said Ramdev. "The day they file an FIR against Sheila Dikshit, the support will end," he said.

Baba said he doesn't believe that the Aam Aadmi Party can replicate its success in other states. "AAP can cause side effects but can't have a big impact," he said, assuring people that he will never enter active politics but only support politics that ensures a good democracy.

Courtesy: TOI.