PM pledges to create Uttaranchal

DEHRA DUN, Sept 23: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today reiterated his party's resolve to create a separate state of Uttaranchal af...

DEHRA DUN, Sept 23: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today reiterated his party8217;s resolve to create a separate state of Uttaranchal after coming to power again. Addressing an election meeting in support of the party candidates from Pauri and Tehri Garhwal constituencies, the Prime Minister promised that the Uttaranchal Bill, which has been pending before Parliament, would be passed paving the way for creation of the hill state.8220;There should be no doubt about the creation of the separate state of Uttaranchal,8221; he said.

Vajpayee addressed a well-attended election rally in heavy downpur. Earlier, on September 17, he was unable to come to Dehra Dun due to inclement weather.Attacking the Congress, Vajpayee alleged that it was Opposition parties which prevented the passage of the Uttaranchal Bill. He said that the Congress had been so eager to grab power by dubious means that it had toppled three successive governments in the past three years. 8220;The power-hungry Congressmen cannot sit in the Opposition aswe did for 40 long years,8221; he commented.

Highlighting the achievements of his government, Vajpayee said the country was progressing well with lowest inflation rate, high foreign exchange reserve and excellent industrial development, when the Congress conspired to topple his government by one vote.

Referring to Congress allegations regarding the Kargil conflict, he said that his party had never tried to politicise the Army or the victory of the armed forces but it was the Congress which tried to demoralise the jawans by its utterances.He said the Kargil victory had shown that India wanted peace but was ready for war if attacked. 8220;We have shown Pakistan that we are not only capable of throwing the infiltrators out but also isolating it among the international community diplomatically.8221; He said the focus of his government and the peace which prevailed had shown that every community was safe under BJP rule.

Vajpayee ridiculed Congress allegations of unprincipled alliances among NDA partners. He said theCongress itself had entered into alliances with Jayalalitha in TN and Laloo Prasad Yadav8217;s RJD in Bihar.