Dr. Avnish Jolly , Chandigarh April 12 :Senior BJP leader and party General Secretary Mr Arun Jaitley today challenged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as claim that he was unaware of clean chit given to Mr Jagdish Tytler and Mr Sajjan Kumar. Addressing a massive workers convention organized by Chandigarh BJP Mr Jaitley accused Dr Singh of trying to befool people and said his image of the Weakest Prime Minister can not be changed by this. He accused the Congress party of dishonesty in giving tickets to these two leaders, who have been accused of leading /inciting violence in 1984 riots by Nanavati Commission of inquiry. He said it is matter of national shame that no one has been punished for the said and shocking events of 1984 in which more than 3000 people lost lives.
Mr Jaitley said Dr Manmohan Singh has been mentioned in an analysis by ?The Economist? to be ?in office but, not in power? and said his claim that he would have quit if nuclear deal had not materialised can not change this image. He recalled Dr Manmohan Singh?s remarks in October 2007 that ?this was not a one issue government?, and ?we will live with this disappointment?.
Holding Congress lead UPA government responsible for the bad shape of Indian economy Mr Jaitley said when foreign investors were withdrawing from Indian markets the Government of India foolishly raised the interest rates and reduced money supply, which gave a severe shock to the Indian economy. Mr Jaitley pointed out that while country is facing economic crises India does not have a finance minister. He recalled that during the Vajpayee lead NDA when interest on housing loans was around 6-7 percent people built houses after taking loans as interest was less than house rent. He said BJP manifesto has promised that senior citizens, Pensioners and defence personnel will be kept out of tax net as is the case with MP?s and farmers. He said more money in the hands of common mans hands always gives a boost to the economy.
Mr Jaitley said the Congress lead UPA government has not been able to maintain the record of growth in Indian economy because of the discord in the ruling alliance. That those supporting the government did not let it take decisions and the government failed to control prices is no help to the common man. He said national challenges on economic and security front have become complicated because of a weak government at centre. He put the Congress party in the dock by saying that government had promised to generate one crore jobs per year but in the last year one and half crore jobs have been lost.
Mr Jaitley said UPA is a sinking ship as its constituents have been deserting it in large numbers. Some who are with the Congress today will most certainly desert it after the results are out. As far as the third front is concerned it is out of contention. Mr Jaitley appealed to the people of Chandigarh through this workers rally to give full support to Mr Jain and tell people about the anti poor, anti people policies of the congress party.
State BJP President Mrs Kamla Sharma and Mr Satya pal Jain Party candidate for Chandigarh Lok Sabha constituency welcomed Mr Jaitley and said the massive level of participation is indicative of mood for change in Chandigarh. Among those who addressed the workers convention were Mr Mata Ram Dhiman, two former Chandigarh Mayors Mrs Harjinder Kaur and Mr Gyan Chand Gupta, Mr jasjit Singh Bunny and party General Secretary Mr Sanjay Tandon. Mr Ramvir Bhatti, Director Market Committee Chandigarh, thanked the activists and leaders for the success of BJP activists? convention.