Meerut, February 9
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today warned Pakistan against any attempt to thwart India’s peace and stability even as he maintained that there was enough scope for both countries to supplement each other in achieving major developmental objectives such as poverty-reduction and other associated ills.
“We are ready for giving a befitting reply to any attempt by Pakistan to destroy India’s peaceful equilibrium”, he said while speaking at an election rally here this afternoon.
Underlining India’s democratic strengths, Mr Vajpayee said unlike Pakistan, former Prime Ministers in India lead a life of respect and honour even after they bowed out of office.
“In Pakistan, it seems that former Prime Ministers have only two places to go. Either jail or seek refuge overseas”, he pointed out.
In an apparent attempt to woo Muslim voters, Mr Vajpayee sought to allay fears that the BJP was against the community. Without naming anyone, he said “certain leaders are spreading the message that the BJP is anti-Muslim.
But have not the people of India seen us. The BJP has never been known to spread communal disharmony”, he said.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Agriculture Minister and Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Ajit Singh were among others who addressed the gathering.
There are 11 Assembly constituencies in Meerut which has a significant Muslim population. This was Mr Vajpayee’s first election rally in UP and second of the day.
Earlier in the day, he addressed a rally in Bijnore.
