Haridwar : Prime Minister Narendra Modi today made a strong pitch for return of BJP to power in the Devabhoomi or pilgrim state of Uttarakhand and said his Government has taken up the cudgel to fulfill Atal Behari Vajpayee's dream and bring about all round development of the state. Addressing an election rally here, he said for the state and its people "next five years will be very crucial" as Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh over 16-17 years back and hence "next five years should not be wasted".
Attacking the incumbent Congress regime in the state and the erstwhile Congress-led UPA, he alleged that not enough efforts were made to tap the potentials of the hilly state. "Next five years for Uttarakhand will be akin to the teenage of a youth when parents take all care to help a young boy and girl attain the age of adulthood in sound health and conditions," Prime Minister said even as he slammed the Chief Minister Harish Rawat. "It is time the voters must decide about his (Harish Rawat's) ouster from the seat of power in the state," he said.
Mr Modi said former Prime Minister Vajpayee had granted statehood to three states -- Uttarakhand, Chhattisharh and Jharkhand -- but nothing much was done to help the hilly state. "I have taken up the cudgel to fulfill all the promises Vajpayee made for the people of this state," he said. The elections to the 70-member State Assembly will take place on February 15. BJP is out of power from the state since 2012. The alleged attempts to have backroom control of the affairs of the state through President's Rule last year was negated by the rulings of the Uttarakhand High Court and the Supreme Court. (UNI)
