Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said the people of Uttar Pradesh bear the biggest responsibility in deciding what kind of government they want at the centre. At the same time, he criticised the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its communal beliefs.
"The results of Uttar Pradesh will determine what kind of government will be formed at the centre. Therefore, you have to be extremely careful while casting your votes. This time, the main important issue is whether we can allow that party to form a government which has divided society and is involved in creating bitterness between different communities. Should that party deserve to get your votes? You must have heard about a BJP leader who gave an inflammatory speech a few days back, the question is will you tolerate such people? BJP's ideology and its work is completely against the tenets of your ethos," Singh said.
Prime Minister also took a dig at the BJP for being late while releasing its manifesto.
"Just when the polls started, the BJP then came out with the manifesto which goes to show that they do not give any importance on their policies before the people. They have concentrated their poll strategy on one person only. They have made tall promises which they will not be able to accomplish. The only thing that they have done is that they have brought forward its old agendas back to the fore like that of Ram temple issue, also their wish to abolish article 370 as they believe in creating fissures within the society," Singh added
Prime Minister remarked that since the Congress is the grand old party, it has always cared about the prosperity of the country. It is only the Congress which can give a progressive government, which can take along with it all sections of society.
Prime Minister Singh, also highlighted the fact that it was his government which has achieved the highest growth during its decade-long rule, which was not attained by any other government in a span of ten years. He also said the fact that there were many areas where he would have liked to see growth which could not be attained, as he would have desired so. But he also pointed out that whatever growth his government had achieved, has happened in the backdrop of two international financial crises. He added, that is his government which has increased the price of farmers produce, has been the highest of all other governments.