BHOPAL, Dec 5: The Bharatiya Janata Party’s Prime Ministerial nominee Narendra Modi today received a shot in the arm from saffron party Vice-President and Madhya Pradesh’s ex-Chief Minister Uma Bharti who supported the Gujarat Chief Minister’s contention that a nationwide debate ought to be conducted over the Constitution’s Article 370.
“It must be deliberated whether any State should enjoy special status. Mr Modi’s raising the issue is a matter of pride. Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi cannot be compared with Mr Modi. All Mr Gandhi does is tear and throw papers,” the firebrand Sadhvi told media here.
She advocated a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the “scam” in tests conducted by the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board.
“I will raise before Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan the unauthorised diamond mining by multinational corporation Rio Tinto, the Ken-Betwa Link Project that will also benefit neighbouring Uttar Pradesh and illegal sand mining on the Narmada River’s banks,” Ms Bharti said.
She assured support to Mr Chouhan for a crime and corruption-free regime after he assumes the state’s reins for the third time.
“The 5.1 per cent votes — translating into 12 lakh electors — that were received by the Bharatiya Jan Shakti in the 2008 polls have been cast in the BJP’s favour and will aid the party in securing majority. I am glad that the phobia regarding me was wiped out,” Ms Bharti claimed.
She alleged that an Indian Administrative Service officer’s wife was fielded by the Bahujan Samaj Party against her nephew Rahul Singh Lodhi in Khargapur as the BSP desires to capitalise on the caste factor. (UNI)