BJP to build swadeshi model of development

The BJP's prime ministerial candidate, LK Advani, today said India needed an indigenous model of economic growth of which the party would soon prepare a blueprint.

Speaking at the annual general meeting of the Association of Chambers of Commerce (Assocham) in New Delhi, Advani said neither the Soviet model of state control nor the western European and US model of economic development without the state would work in the Indian context.

"We have already seen the ill effects to the Soviet model in India since the Nehruvian years while the western model is against the environment," he said.

"I am more convinced than ever that we in India have to evolve an Indian model of development that is in alignment with India's needs, is guided by the Indian outlook towards life and relies on full participation of Indians," he said.

"Haven't many countries around the world been trying to evolve their own model of development, based on their specific conditions, constraints, resources and cultures? I can cite the example of China, Singapore, Malaysia, Turkey, Russia and several others," he added.

He said the BJP would prepare a blueprint for an Indian development model in the coming months. He then proceeded to list the achievements of various state governments ruled by the BJP by referring to Gujarat's programme to supply 24-hour power to rural areas and the Madhya Pradesh government's success in improving infant survival rates.

He added the BJP's policy of strong chief ministers and a strong prime minister was at variance with that of the Congress, which had a strong belief in one dynasty.

On the Indo-US nuclear deal, he said his party was not against the deal per se but only wanted it redrafted.