BJP CMs never had involvement in corruption: Rajnath Singh

Lucknow: Coming down heavily on political rivals, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said unlike others, no Chief Minister of Bharatiya Janata Party was ever involved in corruption. He said if political rivals will prove their claims over the same, he will not hesitate to resign.

"I have seen political parties accusing BJP Chief Ministers of having corruption charges. I also remained the Chief Minister of the Uttar Pradesh and I dare opponents to claim any such charges against me or the other CMs from the party," said Rajnath while campaigning for party candidate Rita Bahuguna from Cantt assembly seat here.

He said Samajwadi party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav himself punctured his party’s ‘cycle by not developing the state despite getting several chances. Taking a dig at Samajwadi Party, Rajnath said SP has landed itself in trouble by forming alliance with Congress. "Akhilesh Yadav is going to suffer a massive defeat in the upcoming polls," said Rajnath.

Speaking over the continuous ceasefire violations by the Pakistan Army, the central minister said, “When our neighbours killed our five soldiers, I asked the Army personnel to understand the matter. They informed me that our jawans waived ‘white flag’ fourteen times to tell them that we don’t want to fight. But they did not reply.”

“So, I ordered the Army if Pakistan fires one shot at us, do not count the number of bullets while retaliating,” he added.

Taking pride in the surgical strike carried out by Indian soldiers across the LoC, Rajnath Singh said, “Four months back, a few Pakistani terrorists intruded in our boundaries and attacked our Army base. In reply, we carried out surgical strike and assassinated all of them. This was enough to pose a strong statement in front of the world.”

What else Rajnath said?

• Except few parliamentary regions, the entire Uttar Pradesh votes for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2014.
• Why no development took place in the region which had 15-20 people of the same family in power?
• If BJP comes to power, it will waive-off farmers's loans in UP within 3-6 months.
• We have about 80% contribution in the making of Lucknow Metro.
• Several asked me why I have not been called by UP CM in the inauguration, I want to tell all those that I work for my self-satisfaction.
• The whole country now knows that only BJP can give them better governance.
• Those who are trying to diminish the BJP’s image are secular people. We treat everyone as equal and the SP should know that no one can rule the country of state by diving the people on the basis of religion and caste.
• UP has the worst law and order in the country.
• It could be mentioned here that campaigning for the second phase of assembly elections ended on Monday.

The voting of the second phase will be held on February 15. Total 67 candidates of the 11 districts will go to polls in the second phase.

It may be recalled here that around 64% of voters exercised their franchise in 73 constituencies in the second phase of UP polls.