No question of rethinking on prime ministerial nominee: Rajnath

RAIPUR, Nov 16:  Bharatiya Janata Party President Rajnath Singh today categorically stated that there is no question of rethinking on the subject of BJP prime ministerial nomination Narendra Modi.
‘As polls approach, the Congress has become more aggressive in levelling fabricated accusations against Mr Modi and ‘wild and baseless’ allegations are being levelled against him by the Congress.
“However, I wish to make it clear that there is no question of rethinking on his candidature under any circumstances,” the former Union minister said at a press conference here.
The saffron party chief’s strong reaction came in response to Congress leader and Law Minister Kapil Sibal’s statement suggesting that the BJP should rethink on Mr Modi in the wake of revelations against Gujarat’s ex-Home Affairs minister Amit Shah in a four-year-old tape.
“Please allow the Assembly and general elections to be conducted in a healthy atmosphere. The manner in which the Congress is attempting to flare up things — breaking all norms of dignity — proves that the party conceded defeat,” he said and added, this sort of propaganda would rather provide greater energy to Mr Modi.
On Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s remarks at a rally that opponents are daydreaming about coming to power at the Centre, Mr Singh said, “The BJP has only one dream of taking the country to new heights for leading the world. People want to get rid of the Congress as it has failed on all fronts.”
Responding to a query regarding sexist comments and personal attacks by leaders during campaigning, particularly Narendra Modi’s remarks regarding Ms Gandhi’s illness, BJP President Rajnath Singh defended the Gujarat Chief Minister’s statement by stating he only expressed sympathy for her.
Lambasting the Congress for making a ‘false’ promise of providing 35 kg rice per month to each non Income Tax payer family in Chhattisgarh, Mr Singh asked if any Congress-ruled state in the country has succeeded in providing free rice and salt to its  denizens.
On the alleged accusations by Congress leaders’ on Chhattisgarh regime for not cooperating with New Delhi in combating Naxalism, he said, “No one can question the Chhattisgarh government’s integrity on this issue.”
Expressing concern over spiralling Maoism and terrorism in the country, Mr Singh said since over 250 districts are Naxal affected, the Centre should have displayed willpower and vision while taking all state regimes into confidence and formulated a comprehensive action plan to tackle the menace when Naxalism was in its initial stage.
He is scheduled to address rallies in Navagarh, Janjgir-Champa, Baloda Bazar and Mahasamund where the curtains descend on campaigning tomorrow ahead of second phase voting on Tuesday. (UNI)