Points made by Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, MP and Former BJP President on Commonwealth Games

The BJP wants the success of the Commonwealth Games. Do not put the nation to shame by your casual and careless approach.

• For the last six months, the media has been highlighting about the corruption, sub-standard quality of construction and also the doubts about the timely completion of the projects. The Parliamentarians cutting across the party lines also expressed concerns from time to time. Even MLAs of Delhi, representatives of political parties – everybody voiced their concerns in this regard. Despite strong indictions from CVC of large scale corruption in the infrastructure projects for the Games, no action has been taken.

• Finally that prompted the Hon’ble PM to accord the GoM ‘empowered status’ to take stock of the preparations for the games in the light of missed deadlines and corruption scandals.

• Now, it is being reported in the electronic media that false ceiling at the venue of the weight lifting event has fallen apart in the JN stadium. It is also being reported that the much-hyped AEROSTAT goes bust and runs into rough weather. Two balloons were reportedly deflated.

• The collapse of foot over bridge at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium yesterday and the insensitivity of the government at its best coupled with inferior infrastructure and corruption has resulted in a tragedy with 5 critical and 27 injured labourers.

• The Jama Masjid shoot out incident exposes lacunae in the fool proof security cover for CWG and foreign tourists. The ‘safety and security’ of sportsmen, tourists and spectators is of paramount concern. It is unfortunate that not much progress has been made to apprehend the people behind this incident. Government should address this issue on ‘Top Priority’. There are reports in the press that certain countries are rethinking about their participation in the CWG. It is hoped that they are not true.

• Commonwealth Games Federation, CEO, Mike Hooper termed the Games village ‘Filthy and uninhabitable’. On the lack of cleanliness in the Games Village, Mr. Jaipal Reddy says it is no a major issue. Pathetic living and insanitary conditions at CWG village be immediately addressed. Foreign nations be re-assured on these aspects.

• Commonwealth Games Federation President Michal Fennel describing CWG village as ‘seriously compromised’ is a serious comment and statement exposing the sanitary conditions not up to mark for international sportsmen/officials. We should not make light of the problems and dismiss the issues raised by the media or by people’s representatives or most importantly by the representatives of the Commonwealth Games Federation.

• Head of GoM on CWG Minister, Shri Jaipal Reddy, terms this as a minor matter because this foot over bridge was meant for use by spectators only is an objectionable statement. Delhi CM, Sheila Dixit, also says that the bridge was to be used by common people and not by delegates or tourists. Another minister of Delhi government also echoed the same sentiment. This shows their casual and insensitive approach.

• The GoM has miserably failed in its responsibilities. It is reported that the GoM has said that their work is over and that there is no need for its further meetings. We would like to know who is going to monitor the games. They should not gloss over the fact that serious charges have been made and a high level probe is necessary. The government should wake up to the reality of the situation and take urgent steps with regard to the safety and security of the participants of the games. It should also assure the international players that the standards of safety and security will be maintained. Security checks must be conducted thoroughly at all the stadia and other venues of the games.

• BJP is not against Common Wealth Games. It should not be forgotten that India got this prestigious games after so much effort in 2003 during the NDA regime. The present government had six years time to complete the arrangements for the games but they seem to have adopted casual and careless approach towards CWG which has resulted in the present mess. The Government of India, the Delhi Government and the Games OC cannot escape from their failures and accountability.

• Delayed dead-lines, spread of dengue and water borne diseases, Delhi flood waters, institutionalized corruption by Congress led Delhi government and GoM failing to fine-tune the CWG are serious issues to be addressed.

• The PM himself assured the nation that everything will be done timely and every care will be taken. We urge upon the Hon’ble Prime Minister to take personal interest and see that adequate and necessary steps are taken to see that games are held successfully and to that end everything is done in perfect and timely manner. Hon’ble Prime Minister, please do not gloss over these serious lapses.

• We reiterate that the BJP wants the success of the Commonwealth Games. Please do not put the nation to shame by your casual and careless approach.

BJP statement on Ayodhya Judgement

The judgement of the 3-Judge bench of the Allahabad High Court at Lucknow has been pronounced today. In so far as the judgement upholds the right of the Hindus to construct a temple at the Garbh-Grih, it is a significant step forward towards the construction of a grand temple at the birth place of Lord Rama. The expert opinion of the Archaeological Survey of India and other expert agencies engaged by it had clearly opined that there were remains of a Hindu religious structure where the disputed structure stood. The Bharatiya Janata Party believes that this verdict opens a New Chapter for National Integration and a new era for inter-community relations. The BJP is gratified that the nation has received the verdict with maturity