Uttarakhand should be made SEZ: Narendra Modi in Dehradun.

Addressing a rally of around 80,000 people at Dehradun in Uttarakhand on Sunday, BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi expressed his anguish over the manner in which the Central government handled the natural crisis.

He raised objections over the treatment meted out to him when he had come at the time of rescue and rehabilitation operations after the tragic natural crisis that left many pilgrims dead, injured and stuck without supplies. "I had come here to perform my duty but the government did not allow me," he said.

Modi lauded the brave men and women of Uttarakhand, whom he said have always made for fearless soldiers and dedicated servants to the national cause.

Speaking on the economic situation of Uttarakhand, Modi said he would like to see it being made into a Spiritual Environmental Zone (SEZ). That would enable greater number of people to visit the area and in turn help the localites ease their economic pressures.

Both Modi and BJP president Rajnath Singh were vocal against the Congress and the UPA government on a number of issues ranging from the mismanagement of borders to widespread corruption.

"The PM wants us to welcome intruders rather than dragging them away with our might. The ruling goverment has no respect for our soldiers even after they give their lives to defend the nation," Singh said.

Modi cited the recently concluded state elections as a signal for what is to come in 2014. "What four states did to Congress, whole India will do in the General Elections," he said.

Modi also hailed the legacy of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who headed the NDA coalition government and served as the Prime Minister between 1998 and 2004, and was responsible for separate statehood for Uttarakhand. "We are his proud heir. He gave us Uttarakhand and now its my responsibility to fulfill his dreams," he said.

Recalling the tenure of the NDA at whose helm was the BJP, Rajnath Singh said, "Vajpayee is the real son of the soil and Narendra Bhai will now take the things further."

The rally was held at the local Parade Ground where, due to threats, the security was stringent. Despite that, locals turned up in numbers to hear the BJP PM candidate whose influence is steadily growing as the country gears up for the elections to the Lok Sabha next year.

Source : indianexpress.com