17 SEPTEMBER
UNION home minister L K Advani warned that the government
is determined to blast all ISI networks operating in the
country, and sought people's co-operation.
Speaking at a largely attended public meeting here on
Thursday organised by the state unit of the BJP to mark the
50th year of liberation of the former princely state of
Hyderabad, the home minister said that Pakistan is waging a
proxy war against our country after realising that it could
never win against us in a direct war.
``It was Gen Zia who adopted the proxy war strategy which
is called in military parlance `Operation Topac'. Due to
the inaction of the previous governments the ISI extended
its tentacles to various parts of the country. We, however,
are determined to destroy its networks wherever it is, and
solicit your help in this regard," he said.
Praising the leadership qualities of Sardar Vallabhbhai
Patel, Mr Advani described him as ``a man of few words, but
had great vision and determination''. India would not be
what it is today but for the vision and determined actions
of Mr Vallabhbhai Patel, he added.
Mr Advani deemed it a great honour to get a chance of
felicitating nearly 200 freedom fighters who fought against
the tyrannical rule of the Nizam. He called on the people
to remember the sacrifices made by those great men, and get
inspired by them to make similar, if not greater
sacrifices, for the country.
He termed the liberation of the Hyderabad state through the
police action in 1948 as a historical event and observed
that the 50th year of the event should have been celebrated
jointly by all political parties.
``In fact, when the former prime minister, P V Narasimha
Rao, mooted the idea of celebrating the event by all
irrespective of the political affiliations, I immediately
welcomed it. Mr Rao said he would get back to us after
consulting his party's leadership. I don't know what
happened, but Mr Rao did not get back to us which forced us
to organise the event separately,'' home minister said.
Claiming that it is for the first time in the history of
our Parliamentary democracy that a Union government (BJP's)
was formed on a positive vote, Mr Advani said the six-month
old government, under the leadership of Mr A B Vajpayee,
has many achievements to its credit. ``Thanks to our
government that India and its countrymen are being
respected all over the world following the Pokharan tests.
Again it is our government under Mr Vajpayee which solved
the vexed Cauvery water problem amicably among the four
riparian states,'' he opined.
Referring to price rise, Mr Advani opined that it was due
to the fall in the aagricultural output last year, and
hoped that prices would fall after the Kharif crop reaches
the markets. ``We have allocated nearly 60 per cent of this
year's budget for the agriculture sector. We hope to reap a
bumper harvest this time which will automatically bring
down the prices of essential commodities,'' Mr Advani
added.
He went on to add that there is a sea change in Kashmir
after the BJP government was formed at the Centre but added
that a lot needs to be done for bringing total normalcy to
the state. ``Tens and thousands of tourists are visiting
the state after a span of nearly ten years. More than
1,50,000 pilgrims went on a pilgrimage to Amarnath. Now,
almost all hotels and restaurants are booked till November
which was never the case earlier,'' he claimed.
Referring to price rise, Mr Advani opined that it was due
to the fall in the aagricultural output last year, and
hoped that prices would fall after the Kharif crop reaches
the markets. ``We have allocated nearly 60 per cent of this
year's budget for the agriculture sector. We hope to reap a
bumper harvest this time which will automatically bring
down the prices of essential commodities,'' Mr Advani
added.