BJP attacks PM, Sonia for not singing 'Vande Mataram'

Chandigarh, Oct 1 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today said, if voted to power, it would amend the Constitution to bring national song 'Vande Mataram' at par with national anthem and national flag.

''We will amend the Article 51 of the Constitution to provide respect to Vande Mataram at par with national anthem and national flag,'' said BJP president Rajnath Singh said, addressing a rally here after inuagurating the local BJP office.

Taking a dig at Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for not singing Vande Mataram on the occassion of its centenary celebrations, Mr Singh asserted that those who do not respect 'Vande Mataram' have no right to live in the country.

Criticising the UPA government for unprecedented hike in the prices of essential commodities, Mr Singh said the UPA government has failed to control the increasing prices of pulses, petroleum products and other commodities, proving that its policies are pro-rich and against the common man, contrary to its election menifesto.

Mr Singh demanded the abolition of excise and customs duty on petroleum products, which he claimed was responsible for the hike in prices of petrol and diesel products in the country and not the international price of the crude oil.

Mr Singh also promised to bring India at par with other developed coutries not only in terms of economy but also on the front of science and technology within five to 10 years if voted to power.

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