Rajnath Singh's strength: guidance from seniors, cooperation of colleagues

BJP heralded the new year 2006 with a new President. On January 2, 2006 Shri Rajnath Singh formally assumed the office of the National President of Bharatiya Janata Party at 11, Ashok Road, New Delhi when former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee gave his aashirwad and outgoing President Shri Lal Krishna Advani blessed him in the presence of galaxy of top leadership of the party that had thronged the occasion. Shri Rajnath Singh issued the following statement on the occasion:

I am accepting the office of the National President of Bharatiya Janata Party with all humility at my command. I have already said that this responsibility does not endow me prestige but puts me to several tests. I shall discharge this responsibility with the guidance of my seniors and co-operation of my colleagues.

The guidance of respected Atalji and triple objectives of good governance, probity and security evolved by respected Advaniji will always serve as a guiding light to me. Our aim shall remain focussed on harnessing of the Integral Humanism and cultural nationalism. This will serve as the basis of all our future programmes.

We shall mainly focus on four priorities — to keep the party image intact, to extend popular base of the party, to further strengthen the NDA and to launch a relentless struggle against anti-people policies of the UPA Government.

I have taken over as the President of the party that has played an important role in the politics of free India. Right from the integration of Kashmir with India up to Emergency period and Ayodhya movement, the BJP has lent priority to the Nation in Indian politics. On ascending to power, we had given new identity to the nation. We stand committed to be a party with a difference and a distinct identity in our practice and policies.

Efforts will be made to mould and expand our party in accordance with these ideals and programmes. For this, the policies and programmes will be chalked out with collective decisions and will be made public at appropriate times.

Our main effort will focus on further strengthening the NDA. The NDA has put forth before the country the roadmap of building modern India and stirred the trust of the Indian public The Vajpayee-led Government has achieved a lot in this direction. The people of the country do now realize that the country needs similar direction and good governance. The NDA’s role has proved historical for the development and stability of the country. Our aim will be to make it more effective.

The country has faced multi-faceted problems in 20 months of the UPA Governance which has damaged both the country’s internal security and economy.

During UPA Government rule, the terrorists by attacking Ayodhya, Delhi and Bangalore have proved that no place of cultural importance such as Ayodhya, no place of political importance such as Delhi and no place denoting economic advancement such as Bangalore is safe and secure in UPA Government rule. Besides several States are reeling under the spurt of Naxalite activities. The entire country is living under an atmosphere of fear.

This Government has totally ignored the interests of farmers and youth. Neither the crop insurance scheme is being effectively implemented nor the farmers are getting remunerative prices for their crops nor the Agriculture Income Insurance scheme started by NDA Government for the insurance of Kisan produces and prices is being implemented while it is obvious that the implementation of Agriculture Income Insurance scheme will ensure assured prices of crops to Kisans despite natural calamities. Non-reduction of interest rates on agricultural loans and increase of fertiliser prices have made kisans so desperate that they are resorting to suicides. That is why, I consider this Government an anti-farmers Government. The youth is being cheated in the name of Employment Guarantee Scheme without appropriate budget provision.

The general public is reeling under the impact of constantly rising prices of petrol, diesel, LPG and other essential commodities, inflation and failing Public Distribution System.

At the time of Lok Sabha elections, the UPA had given slogans of “Congress ka haath aam admi ke saath”. But it is clear now that the Congress hand is giving no succour to general public but on the contrary, it is hitting it the hardest. Under UPA rule, the country is witnessing a steady deterioration in internal security, economic prosperity, progress and international prestige.