Shatrughan Sinha wants post-poll BJP-Congress coalition govt

National interest today demands that Congress and BJP seriously think of forming a coalition government -- based on a common minimum programme -- after the next general elections, filmstar-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha has said.

Asserting that his vision of a joint BJP-Congress government fits into the 'India First' concept of his party's prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, the BJP MP said such a decision by the leaders of the two parties would result in a strong and stable national government, which is the need of the hour.

It would prevent any blackmailing tactics from regional players and smaller parties in the event of a fractured mandate after next year's general elections, he said.

On a weekend-trip to Washington, the 67-year-old BJP leader said he was speaking as a conscious citizen and as an artist for whom the nation is first and is on top of all other priorities.

"This is certainly not my party's view. But I hope, wish and pray that one day it becomes my party's view as well as the view of other parties including the Congress party," Sinha said in an interview.

"It is time for India First and not party first," he asserted, adding that the first option would be to form a majority government of the BJP at the centre. But in case of a hung parliament, the two parties should give a serious thought to a strong coalition government based on a common minimum programme, he added.

Recollecting the bitter experiences of the NDA and the current UPA, Sinha argued that a BJP-Congress government is essential to "end the daily political blackmailing" by smaller and regional parties in the event of a hung parliament.

Arguing that "No one is untouchable in Indian politics now," Sinha cited the examples of various political formations in the past at both national and state levels to buttress his point of a joint BJP-Congress government, which he said is the need of the hour to have a strong and credible national government that would send a strong message to the world.

Sinha said both the Congress and the BJP have a lot in common when it comes to national interest. This includes a similar view on foreign policy, defence issues, and economic reforms.

It is in the interest of the nation that both the Congress and BJP should keep aside their differences, come together to develop a common minimum programme to address larger national issues like poverty, corruption and transparency.

Noting that the prime minister should be from the party having maximum number of seats and on a rotational basis if the two parties have equal number of seats, Sinha, however acknowledged that there are no takers for his views inside the party.

But he hoped that leaders from both the Congress and the BJP would give a serious thought to it in the next six months even as they fight it out against each other in the electoral battlefield.

"If DMK and Congress can join hands together, Mulayam Singh Yadav supports Congress; Mayawati forms government with support from the BJP, Mamata can be part of the both NDA and UPA at different times, why can the BJP and Congress not work together?" Sinha asked.

"The question is in the large national interest, functioning of the government, good governance, stable government, and of course a government of checks and balances, why can't Congress and BJP join hands together," the senior BJP leader asked, insisting that his views are purely personal and do not in any way reflect the views of his party.

"Both the Congress and the BJP have learned and intelligent people, both have popular leaders and our policies are almost the same -- economic policy, foreign policy, industry, defence and terrorism," he added.

Responding to questions, Sinha said there is no time for a pre-poll alliance between the Congress and the BJP, but in the national interest the two parties should have "room for flexibility" to consider a post-poll alliance.

"I am sure even in the Congress, many young leaders, even senior people, who are matured and learned and even in BJP leaders like L K Advani, Yashwant Sinha, Jaswant Singh, Murli Manohar Joshi, Arun Shourie, Sushma Swaraj...There should be churning on this issue," he said.

"Modi has given a great concept of India First. It is a visionary thing. He (Modi) has said 'India First'. I am also saying the same thing, country is above party and politics," Sinha said.

Source: Zee

Bihar to showcase 'inclusive growth' at IITF from November 14

Bihar is 'partner state' for the 33rd India International Trade Fair (IITF) to be held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, from November 14 to November 27. As such, Bihar would have its dedicated pavilion on the theme of 'inclusive growth', according to a press release issued by the state information and public relations department here on Saturday.

Different state departments, like agriculture, art and culture, infrastructure, road construction, industry, power, education, health, information and technology and social welfare, among others, would exhibit their projects, said Sunil Barthwal, resident commissioner of Bihar.

He said, "Bihar pavilion will be decorated as a model of Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour." The 1,780sqm pavilion will be decorated according to the theme and concept design and layout will be keeping in mind the tradition and culture of Bihar. It will come up under the supervision of BIADA, the nodal agency for the fair. BIADA has started preparations for the pavilion and setting up the exhibition area according to this year's theme of this year's IITF - "inclusive growth". Different department will showcase their projects, achievements and growth at the fair.

A separate Bihar's food court will be the special attraction for visitors. This food court - 'Occasion' - will be located at Hansdhwani theatre under the department of Bihar tourism and COMFED.

Industry minister Renu Kumari Kushwaha will be the chief guest at the inaugural function, along with other chief guests, on November 14. She will also inaugurate Bihar pavilion the same day. Apart from the pavilion and food counters, the state day would be observed on November 22, which would be marked by cultural events including folk dance in the evening at Hansdhwani open air theatre. Department of agriculture will organize a seminar on agriculture and department of industry will hold an investors' meet on November 22.

Hall number one and two at the ground floor of pavilion will be decorated in accordance with the theme of the fair. Hall number three at the ground floor will be dedicated to handicraft, handlooms and agriculture of Bihar, with their live demonstrations and presentations. There will be 45 stalls on the first floor of pavilion to serve as display-cum-sale counters. This year, Bihar pavilion will also provide facilities for visitors to pay by credit cards.

Source: TOI

Modi gets the facts wrong, again

Gujarat chief minister and BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi got his history twisted again on Sunday, giving his detractors a chance to have a field day on social media platforms.

Addressing a gathering after the inauguration of a multi-speciality hospital in Gujarat's Kheda district, Modi said, "Syama Prasad Mookerjee was a revolutionary. He died in 1930 in London. But the Congress never bothered to bring back his ashes to the country."

Going by the facts, the revolutionary Modi was referring to was Shyamji Krishna Verma, a freedom fighter, lawyer and a journalist.

Mookerjee was the founder of the Jan Sangh, which was later transformed into the BJP. He died in a Jammu and Kashmir prison on June 23, 1953 - 45 days after being detained for entering the state without a permit.

At a rally in Punjab in June this year, Modi had held India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru responsible for Mookerjee's death.

But on Sunday, Modi said, "Nehru should have sent an emissary to bring the ashes (of Mookerjee) back. The Congress government didn't get them back till 2003. It was me who brought the ashes to India in 2003."

Modi later apologised for the blunder. But his critics on Twitter described him as "his own party's history".

Modi has landed in a tight spot more than once for making serial mistakes during his recent speeches.

At the October 27 Patna rally - held hours after serial blasts rocked the Bihar capital - Modi had said, "When we are reminded of the Gupta Dynasty, we are reminded of Chandragupta's rajneeti."

Bihar chief minister and Modi's political rival, Nitish Kumar, had replied saying, "The BJP has amazing grasp of history. They should know Chandragupta was of Maurya dynasty, not of Gupta dynasty."

Source: HT