For the first time, BJP patriarch lal Krishna Advani endorsed Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's projection as the party's Prime Ministerial candidate. Advani said that Modi's leadership has redefined 'pro-people development' in Gujarat and he would be happy if Modi becomes the Prime Minister of the country.
Advani shared the stage with Modi on Wednesday, the second time after the latter became the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate. Earlier, both the senior leaders of the saffron brigade appeared together at a public rally in Bhopal.
During his one-day visit to Ahmedabad Advani also inaugurated two gardens on both the banks of Sabarmati Riverfront Project. The BJP's veteran leader's statement clearly indicated that the mentor is now willing to make peace with his former disciple.
Praising Modi, Advani said he knew the latent quality of leadership in Modi even before he came to power. He also praised Modi for thinking out of the box and said that he was proud that the Gujarat Government was drawing praise not just in India but also abroad.
In a related development, a closed door meeting of Modi, Advani and former Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel created ripples in the political circles of Gujarat.
In the backdrop of rumors pertaining to BJP rebel and Gujarat Parivartan Party founder's re-entry in the saffron brigade, the meeting at the Ahmedabad Circuit House may turn out to be a crucial factor in the context of the upcoming general elections in 2014. It clearly shows that Modi has been successful in burying the hatchet on the domestic and national level.
While inaugurating the Institute of Infrastructure Technology Research and Management (IITRAM) University, Advani said Modi has laid the foundation to take the new generation towards a world-class future.
The former Deputy Prime Minister said the importance of education had been neglected in the country for a long time, but the Vajpayee Government had taken corrective steps in the nation's interest.
Criticizing the Congress-led UPA Government, Modi said the IITRAM University is Gujarat's befitting answer to the Central Government's arm-twisting tactics to suppress the voice of six crore Gujaratis.
“Every nation has to create a space for itself, and create an impression in this competitive world. India had its bright period for 1,800 years, dissipated during the colonial rule. India has to regain its glory in the 21st Century. In this new world order, the power of knowledge has established its supremacy over military power. The world understands only one language, the language of might and capability,” he added.
Talking about the importance of infrastructure in the modern world and setting up of IITRAM, he said the bulk of investment in the past has been in the private sector. It is projected to increase from Rs 9 lakh crore during the 10th Five-Year-Plan to Rs 50 lakh crore during the 12th Plan.
Modi said the number of universities in Gujarat had increased from 11 to 42 and the number of seats in engineering degree and diploma courses from 13,000 to 1.45-lakh during the last decade. “There is need for skilled manpower, to meet urbanization,” he added.
The university project was delayed by one year said Modi adding that the relevant Bill for this new university was passed by the State Assembly in February 2012 but the Governor sent it back with objections and finally gave assent in March 2013.
The new specialized university created under an Act of the State Assembly is taking shape on five acres of land. The university building has been constructed on 19,606 sqm at a cost of Rs 70 crore. The combined cost of two modern riverfront parks is Rs 18.46-crores.