Adopting an offensive approach against the main political rival the BJP and its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday charged that dividing the society along religious line is the basis of BJP's ideology.
Addressing an election rally in Bhongir in Nalgonda district of Telangana on Saturday, Manmohan Singh urged the people to vote wisely. "Would you like to support a party which makes one community to fight anotherIJ" he asked.Pointing out the hate speeches of some BJP leaders in the recent days, Singh said that though the BJP dissociated itself from them, "I believe that dividing the society is the part of the BJP's policy."
Manmohan Singh said that such hate speeches are being made at a time when certain States are going to polls, where the BJP believes that divisive politics can benefit them.In a sharp attack on Modi, without taking his name, Singh said, "BJP's campaign is centered only on one individual who is making tall but baseless claims. He is making promises which can not be fulfilled," he said.
Attacking Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), the Prime Minister gave the credit of formation of Telangana State to the Congress and Sonia Gandhi. He said that now some small parties are trying to take the credit for the same.Rejecting the BJP allegations of corruption against the UPA Government, Singh made a counter allegation that the BJP had become the stumbling block in the way of passing many more acts against corruption.
"The efforts we have made during last ten years to curb corruption were never made by any other Government in the past," he said.He said that stringent steps have been taken to punish those who were found involved in corruption and Right to Information Act made it possible to bring out the irregularities. "lokpal Act was the biggest step against corruption," he added.
Prime Minister said that lack of cooperation from the BJP came in the way of UPA Government in passing many more acts to curb corruption. "I am putting this fact before you so you could know about the reality of the parties who are making so much noise."Giving a report card of the performance of UPA I and II over the last ten years, Singh said that the amount of good work done by his Government was unmatched by any other Government over a period of ten years.
"Poverty came down three folds during the period of 2004-2011. 14 crore people came above the poverty line," he said, adding "Our record in the economic sector was better than any other Government." 2 lakh kilometers of rural roads were constructed during the ten year period.He also reminded the people work done by the Congress Governments in development of the State, especially Hyderabad. He listed IIT, Indian Institute of Design, International Airport in Hyderabad and Metro Rail project among the achievements of the Congress Government.
Prime Minister said that National Rural employment guarantee scheme had benefited 57 lakh familes in the State.He urged the people to strengthen the hands of Sonia Gandhi and bring back the Congress-led UPA to power to complete the task of taking India on to the path of progress and prosperity.Congress General Secretaries Digvijay Singh and Vayalar Ravi were also present with the Prime Minister.