Conversions increases after Sonia become UPA head

Bangalore, June 3: Bharatiya Janata Party president Rajnath Singh today claimed that religious conversions were on the rise across the country after Congress chief Sonia Gandhi assumed office as the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson.

Addressing a convention of Karnataka BJP Yuva Morcha 'Saamarasya' here, he accused Christian missionaries of exploiting people's ' economic conditions and encouraging conversions in the name of serving them. The BJP would oppose any forced conversion by Christian missionaries,' he asserted.

Mr Singh criticised the UPA Government for not taking any steps to contain the skyrocketing prices of commodities and said common people were at a distress due to the ''indifferent'' attitude of the Government.

During the six-year rule of the previous NDA Government, the prices of essential commodities were under check. While trading at the Bombay Stock Exchange had not been suspended even once during the erstwhile NDA rule, it was done thrice in a month now, he added.

He demanded Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram to identify those responsible for the volatile conditions at the BSE and come to the rescue of the small investors who were left in the lurch.

The BJP chief came down heavily on the UPA Government for not taking any measures to contain increasing unemployment across the country. Due to lack of committment, the Employment Guarantee scheme was not being implemented effectively, he claimed.

On the performance of the JD(S)-BJP coalition Government in the state, Mr Singh said it had started off well as exhibited in its maiden budget presented in the Assembly. He complimented the Karnataka Government for taking measures to provide farm loans at the lowest interest rate of four per cent.

He urged the party ministers in the coalition government to strive hard for the welfare of the people and send the message across that only the BJP could provide better administration and succour to the people.

UNI