Agra: The Congress “murdered democracy” in the Emergency, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh charged Sunday, remembering his own 16-month incarceration during those “dark days”.
Addressing a public meeting in Agra Sunday – the anniversary of the Emergency – Singh scoffed at the Congress’s accusation that there was no democracy under the BJP.
“They met in Patna to discuss Narendra Modi’s removal. They said the country lacks democracy. If so, how did the Congress form governments in Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka?” Singh asked at the Kagarol meeting, held to boost the BJP’s “Maha Jansampark Abhiyaan”.
The programme aims to create awareness about the achievements and initiatives of the BJP government in its nine years so far.
Singh lauded Prime Minister Modi for increasing India’s “worldwide sanding”, its burgeoning economic power. “The country was ranked 11th among world economies in 21014, it is now 5th and is poised to be the third in a few years,” Singh said.
He also said the country’s borders were secure under Modi, citing the swift retaliation to the Uri attack.
“Today, the most powerful fighter engine will be manufactured in India, and India is making great strides in the realm of technology,” Singh added.
Counting the Covid immunization programme among the central government’s greatest achievements, Singh said India was the only country where people got two shots. “We accomplished thorough vaccination not only in our country, but also in 120 other countries,” he said.
Summing up the BJP-led Centre’s other achievements – “removed Article 370, put the country on path of development, constructing a magnificent Ram Temple in Ayodhya” – Singh said the party would prove its detractors wrong in 2024.
Also read: Mathura temples ask devotees to wear ‘traditional’ attire — ‘no mini-skirts, torn jeans’