Cong negated Ram's existence: Rajnath

Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, Jan 16 (UNI) Accusing the Congress of negating the existence of Lord Ram, BJP President Rajnath Singh today claimed that his party would not permit demolition of the Ram Sethu at any cost.

''Even the Mughals and British did not challenge Ram's existence but the Congress has done so by submitting an affidavit in the Supreme Court. If Ram did not exist then why Ramrajya was spoken of by Mahatma Gandhi, whom the Congress claims to follow?'' he said at a meeting organised here.

Earlier, Mr Singh inaugurated the state government's Rs 837-crore food security scheme aimed at providing 35 kg rice every month at Rs 3 per kg to 34.17 lakh families living Below Poverty Line.

''The Centre's apathetic attitude is leading to a spurt in Naxalism that is not limited merely to Chhattisgarh but a problem for 13 states. The BJP has repeatedly urged the Congress-led regime in New Delhi to prepare a coordinated scheme against Naxalism.

Terrorism and inflation spiralled since the United Progressive Alliance came to power,'' he added.

Pointing out that indebted and starving farmers and other poverty-stricken people were committing suicide in Vidarbha, Mr Singh alleged that during Congress leader Ajit Jogi's chief ministership, the Chhattisgarh regime never undertook adequate purchase of paddy at support price.

Chief Minister Raman Singh assured the BJP supremo that, in the next assembly session, a bill would be tabled for a maximum seven years' imprisonment for those who indulged in irregularities vis-a-vis the food security scheme.

UNI Team-AC KD GC2118