PM attacks BJP-SAD for ignoring farmers' interest

Attacking the ruling BJP-SAD combine for ignoring the interests of farmers in the state, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the two parties, which were partners in the six-year NDA rule, were mute witness to the suffering of the agrarian community.  

Addressing a Congress rally, his first this poll season in the border state, Singh said the credit for increasing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of both wheat and rice should go to party president Sonia Gandhi.  

"During the six years of the NDA rule at the Centre, the BJP and SAD sat and watched as mute spectators the sufferings of the farmers. The credit for the hike in the MSP for both wheat and rice should go to the Congress and Sonia Gandhi," he told the large gathering in this district bordering Pakistan.  

Pointing out that the policy of the UPA government under him was the welfare of farmers, Singh said his government had increased the MSP of wheat from Rs 630 per quintal to Rs 1,080 per quintal, and that of rice from Rs 590 per quintal to Rs 930 per quintal.  

Stating that the BJP and SAD made no contribution in alleviating the sufferings of the farmers, the Prime Minister told the voters of the state, which produces the largest quantity of both the food grains, that the focus of the UPA government's welfare policy was the farmers' well-being.

Without naming Pakistan, the Prime Minister said the situation in the neighbouring country is not conducive.  "India is prepared to face any challenge from the neighbouring country as we are laying a lot of stress on the security," Singh said.  

He said the soldiers are sacrificing their lives for the security of the country and the UPA government is committed to uphold the honour and dignity of the army men.  

The Prime Minister also attacked BJP and its allies for "resorting to politics of hatred and levelling baseless allegations without having any concrete evidence with them".  

"BJP is groping in the dark and levelling allegations," he said appealing that the politics of hatred and blame game should end.  He said the saffron party is in search of an issue as they have none at the present.        

"The BJP government in 1991 mortgaged the country's gold abroad. But after I became the Finance Minister in the Congress regime after their tenure, we brought back the gold," he said, adding the Congress knows how to protect the self respect and esteem of the countrymen.

Singh said the Congress has always looked after the farmer, soldier and the youth.   

"A decade of the 21st century has ended and time has come to ensure that the country is rid of poverty. Our aim should be to have an honoured soldier, prosperous farmer and technically sound youth," he said adding the Congress has made a good beginning in this direction.  

"The Congress has laid emphasis on opening new Universities and setting up infrastructure," the Prime Minister said and appealed to the people to extend support to the UPA Chairperson for further development in the country.  Singh noted that the unemployed youth were taking to drugs.  

 "The UPA government is exploring new vocational education courses so that the youth can be brought back to follow the right direction," he said adding the government is spending Rs 1,000 crore for opening new avenues for the youth.  

"We are also committed to ensure that every child and youth gets a good upbringing," he said.