Dhanbad, June 23, 2013: Describing the Uttarakhand floods as a national disaster, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said that there should be no politics over relief work.

A national disaster

“The incident in Uttarakhand is a national disaster and no party should do politics in the name of relief to stranded persons,” Mr. Gadkari said, adding that BJP activists and leaders are also engaged in providing relief to victims.

“Wrong policies”

Mr. Gadkari, who arrived here to take part in BJP’s Jharkhand state council meet at Jharia, while talking to reporters, alleged that due to wrong policies of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government, the country has plunged into an unprecedented economic and internal as well as external security crisis.

Import ratio is rapidly increasing and price rise and unemployment are soaring, he said.

“All these are happening when the country is in the hands of renowned economist Dr Manmohan Singh,” he said.

The BJP would give the country an alternative based on good governance, strong economic and industrial environment, said Mr. Gadkari.

Collective decision

On projection of the Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as the Party’s Prime Ministerial candidate, Mr. Gadkari said that BJP is based on principles of democracy and collective leadership.

“The decision on selecting a Prime Ministerial candidate would be taken at a proper time collectively,” he said.

When asked about the Ram Janambhoomi issue, he said it was no longer a political issue as it has become a centre of faith and sentiments of the people.

Source: The Hindu, DT. June 23, 2013.