The BJP is eyeing the support of large population of ex-servicemen in the State for 2014-general election. This became evident on Sunday with party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and BJP chief Rajnath Singh focussing on politically loaded speech playing to patriotic sentiments here.
The BJP had made VIP arrangements for retired army officers at Sujanpur Tira ground rally and three senior retired army officers were given party’s membership. Highly decorated army officers lt Gen (retd) HS Kanwar, lt Gen (retd) Surinder Pratap Singh Tanwar, Brigadier (retd) Pawan Chaudhary and IAS (retd) Dev Raj Sharma were given membership by Modi.
“I welcome the senior army officers into the party fold. For those who join the party, they must know that there is no membership in BJP but in this party we make relationship and our relationship becomes of blood,” said Modi.
He lauded the contribution of soldiers of Himachal Pradesh during Kargil War and other wars with Pakistan and China. “People of the country can sleep peacefully because a son of Himalayas guards our border,”
said Modi.
He added that Himachal Pradesh is the land of brave soldiers and he has learnt the values of life from the people of the state. “I had spent important years of my life in this state and have traveled extensively before becoming the Chief Minister of Gujarat,” said Modi.
“Those who have ruled the country for 60 years have made politics a profession, a career and business. But for us, the politics is Rastrabhakti and service,” added Modi.“India is a strong country, but the problem in our country is that soldiers guarding the country have guns but they do not have faith on the policy makers,” said Modi.
Similarly, BJP national chief Rajnath Singh also said that if BJP is voted to power, latest weaponry will be provided to the soldiers. “We will not beg in front of US for weapons. Our country and army will be self-reliant in Defence sector,” said Singh.
He also criticised the recent border agreement between China and India signed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. “The recent signed agreement by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is another farce done by the UPA Government. In this agreement, if any Chinese soldiers encroach into Indian Territory then Indian soldiers can’t push them back but would have to sit and discuss and request them to go back,” said BJP chief.