PTI
 
Surat, Apr 9:  BJP leader L K Advani has praised the "dynamic" leadership of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, for turning the state into a "model of good governance and development".

"Gujarat, which was being subjected to a malicious and prolonged campaign of vilification, even impressed the critics due to determined achievements in a short time, which were affirmed even by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)," Advani said, addressing a public meeting at Bhilad in the state, before proceeding to Maharashtra, as part of his ongoing Bharat Suraksha Yatra which began from April 6.

The state has also attracted largest FDI—of Rs 94,000 crore—in last five years in the country, Advani said adding, a recent World Bank South Asia Report marked out Gujarat among the three most preferred investment destinations in the region.
 

Rajnath predicts realignment of political forces
 
PTI
 
BJP President Rajnath Singh on Sunday said the current Assembly polls in five states are not a referendum on Manmohan Singh government’s policies, and their outcome may not prompt the Congress-led coalition to go in for a mid-term gamble.

He, however, predicted snap polls and realignment of political forces in the country, saying the UPA government could crumble any moment due to "inner contradictions".

In an interview to PTI on board his special bullet-proof vehicle, Singh felt the revival of the third front would only add to the woes of the UPA.

He said mid-term polls could take place any time because of inner-contradictions within the UPA government, which would collapse the moment the allies fall apart and outside supporters withdraw their vital prop.

On the current Assembly polls, the BJP chief did not believe that these are a referendum on UPA government’s policies and said their outcome may not prompt the ruling coalition to go in for a "mid-term term gamble".

He said the allies of the UPA are unhappy and the Left parties, outside supporters of the government, are giving the Congress-led coalition sleepless nights by opposing its various decisions and policies hammer and tongs.

"The UPA is on life support system. The moment the oxygen pipe is removed, it will collapse," he said.

On the perception that the RSS was remote-controlling the BJP, Singh dismissed the suggestion as unfounded and asserted there was no interference from the Sangh.

About frequent consultations with Sangh Parivar leaders, the BJP chief said he was associated with the Sangh since childhood. "It is like my family," he added.

On Sanjay Joshi’s reinstatement, he said Joshi had stepped down on moral grounds immediately after the sleaze CD controversy. "Now that he has come out clean, he has been reinstated."

Asked to comment on the revival of the Third Front, Singh said it would only add to the woes of the UPA. On whether the BJP would extend support to the Third Front or take its support to dislodge the UPA at the Centre, he said it would all depend on the situation as and when it evolves.

He said the realignment of political forces could take place in the near future, but declined to go into details.

Asked about the TDP, which once supported the NDA from outside, joining hands with Samajwadi Party to form a new front, he sought to downplay the development saying "these things keep happening. It is not a big issue".

On Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s resignation from the Lok Sabha and as chairperson of the National Advisory Council (NAC), the BJP president said it was not a sacrifice but a "fraud" played on the people of the country.

Gandhi knew that she had to go on the ground of office of profit and, therefore, quit to escape embarrassment, he said, adding that truth could not remain under wraps for a long time.

Singh said Gandhi would not have resigned if the Left had not opposed the proposed Ordinance aimed at exempting certain offices of profit from disqualification.

Asked whether the BJP would support any legislation in this regard with retrospective effect, he said, "Let the bill come first. We will react then."

Ridiculing the decision to reconvene Parliament, Singh said the government owed an explanation why both the Houses were adjourned sine die in the first place.