Anna Hazare used as "mascot" by NGOs stalling development projects: BJP

Bhopal, Mar 19: Anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare is being used as a "mascot" by NGOs which receive foreign funds and stall developmental projects over the issue of land acquisition, Madhya Pradesh BJP's monthly mouthpiece Charaiveti has said.

"Though he is an upright man personally, Anna Hazare is the "mascot" of such NGOs which receive foreign funds and are known for stalling the developmental projects," said an article penned by the magazine's editor, Jairam Shukla, in its latest edition.

"Possibly the way the country has started marching ahead under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the foreign forces might be averse to it and sponsoring Anna 'mandali' (group) for agitation," it said.

Hazare has been opposing the NDA government's Land Bill and held a protest in Delhi last month to demand the withdrawal of the anti-farmer amendments to the Land Acquisition Act, 2013.

"Modi has given 'Make in India' slogan. If the country agrees with it and wants to make a mark in the competition going on globally, investment and rapid industrialisation is needed. Factories, IT parks and infrastructure cannot be raised in the sky. For this land is needed," the article said.

"For such development 0.0001 per cent land of the country's total area is needed to be acquired, according to rough figures. It is unfortunate that a huge area of land has been reserved for tigers and wild animals, but developmental projects are being stalled by vested interests," it said.

Taking a dig at the Congress, the BJP's mouthpiece alleged that it displaced the tribals from the forest land and ruined villages. Now, when the ball for developmental projects has rolled for betterment of the civil society, a hue and cry is being raised all over, it said.

"Had such a hullabaloo been created in China and USA, the two nations would not have developed. When the citizens of these two countries put national interest first, why Indians can't do it? It is needed to be understood," the article further said.

PTI