Avtar Bhat
KATHUA, Apr 8: Terming Kathua –Doda Lok Sabha Constituency prestigious for BJP, senior party leader and Bollywood star of yesteryears, Vinod Khanna today said that Party’s Prime Ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi and other senior leaders have pinned hopes on this seat.
Addressing an election rally in support of party candidate, Dr Jitendra Singh in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Park here, today, Mr Khanna said Kathua –Udhampur seat is important for BJP so people should enmass vote during the April 17 elections to ensure the victory of party candidate and strengthen the hands of Mr Modi.
He said this is the reason that Mr Modi launched his poll campaign from this Parliamentary constituency on March 26.
He said Jammu and Kashmir is crown of India and victory of BJP candidates from here will send a good signal across the country that people in this border State are totally against the misgovernance and dynastic rule.
Mr Khanna asked the Party workers to visit every nook and corner on polling days and appealed people to ensure cent percent voting to defeat those parties who have been responsible for rising corruption, misgovernance, price rise and terrorism.
He said entire nation is for change of guard at Delhi and people of this State have to join their hands with them in installing Mr Modi as next Prime Minister of India for a better future.
Mr Khanna said that he is contesting elections in Gurdaspur in neighbouring Punjab State and he has come to Kathua to canvass for Dr Singh to ensure his victory at hustings as the party leadership is keen for that.
Repeating the famous song of his movie “Mera Gaon Mera Desh’’, that “Maar Diya Jaaye Yaa Chhod diya Jaaye, Bol Congress Tere Saath kya Salook Kiya Jaaye’’, he said the Congress Party deserved its rout for the “anti people policies” it pursued for years together and even it does not deserve to sit in Opposition as the people of the country are fed up with its omissions and commissions.
The BJP leader also accused the Congress leaders of being arrogant and having little respect for democratic values.
Lambasting Congress led UPA, Mr Khanna said nation has suffered a lot and the time has come when the Congress should be shown the door. For this the people should get united to defeat it at the hustings and send a clear message to those who exploited them for years together.
Addressing the rally, BJP Prabhari and MP Avinash Roy Khanna said there is wave in entire nation in favour of the BJP and Mr Modi. This is an indication that the people want a change at the Centre and the only option available to them is BJP.
He, while recalling the steps taken by previous BJP led NDA Government during its six year rule, said Mr Modi wants to take forward all the policies and programmes started by Mr Vajpayee who initiated the process for restoration of peace and normalcy in the State besides extending hand of friendship to Pakistan.
Party candidate Dr Jitendra Singh said that it is not an ordinary election because the people of the country are going to decide as to who will be the next Prime Minister. Appealing to the people of Kathua to ensure over 90 percent voting on election day so that Kathua Udhampur, Doda can contribute to the Mission 272+ to make Narendra Modi as Prime Minister.
Dr Singh assured that when BJP comes to power it will take decisive steps to end Pak sponsored terrorism in this area, grant rights to West Pak and PoJK refugees, ensure appropriate wages for VDCs and SPOs and redress the problems of the border people.
State general secretary Rajiv Jasrotia, MLA Durga Dass, West Pak refugees leader Labha Ram Gandhi, SOS International (an organisation of PoK refugees) chairman Rajiv Chuni also shared the stage.
Kathua district president Vijay Sharma conducted the proceedings of the rally. Besides Prof Sain Dass, Dr Narinder Singh, Om Parkash Wazir, Rashpal Verma, Prem Nath Dogra, Inderjit Sharma, Raghunandan Singh, Chanchala Devi, Dhamanjit, Ramesh Gupta, Inderjit Sambyal, Kuldeep Raj and others also addressed the rally.
Earlier Mr Khanna accompanied by Dr Jitendra Singh and Avinash Rai Khanna reached Kathua from Lakhanpur in a procession. Later they were taken in Kathua city in scooter rally which finally culminated at Bhagat Singh Park. The three leaders on open rath were greeted by the people who thronged both the sides of the road throughout the scooter rally.
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