NGO urges Modi, Gandhi to ensure litter-free rallies

An NGO promoting cleanliness Monday urged the BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, as well as Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi to ensure that grounds and streets were not left littered after their rallies.

"We urge both leaders that they must lead India by declaring that henceforth their election rallies shall be litter-free, and proper attention will be paid to waste management. It is an opportunity for them to show commitment to a clean India," said the NGO Come, Clean India.

The NGO argued that thousands of rallies are held across India during any election campaign and it is a common sight to see all kinds of litter and waste clogging the streets and public grounds after such rallies.

"Apart from adding to the litter and associated dangers for public health, this also sends a signal that the leaders who arrange these rallies are callous towards cleanliness in India," it said.

According to the NGO, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Modi as well as Congress leader Jairam Ramesh recently said that India needs toilets more than temples.

This indicate "a rare bipartisan support on this burning issue" and "leaderships of both parties seem to be responding to the growing restlessness in the country for sanitation and cleanliness", it said.

The NGO called upon political parties to include the issue of cleanliness in their manifestoes and install more waste bins in public spaces.

The campaign will observe "Clean India Day" Oct 25.