BJP seeks PM's intervention in Narmada dispute : Rajnath

Kolkata, Apr 16 (UNI) Extending his party's wholehearted support to the Gujarat government for sticking to its stand, BJP president Rajnath Singh today sought immediate intervention of the Prime Minister in peacefully resolving the Narmada Dam issue.

Participating in a Meet-the-Press programme of Kolkata Press Club here midway through the Rath Yatra, the BJP president said in the wake of the growing controversy surrounding the construction of the Narmada dam and the possibility of further politicising the issue by various 'opportunist' parties, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should immediately convene a meeting of all concerned to resolve the issue amicably.

But at the same time, Mr Singh was all praise for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and his decision to go for a 51-hour hunger strike to counter the protest of well-known social activist Medha Patekar against the government decision of increasing the height of the proposed dam.

''What Mr Modi is doing is not for the welfare of the people of Gujarat alone but in fact that for the whole nation, '' Mr Rajnath Singh opined and reiterated that his party without having any intension of politicising the issue in the name of rehabilitation of the displaced stood firmly with the Chief Minister.

Asked about Ms Patekar's demand for adequate compensation for the displaced farmers, Mr Singh parried any direct reply, saying the issue was being looked into by the concerned Ministry. The BJP had no role in the issue since it fell under the state subject, he pointed out.

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