Radhakrishnan says BJP manifesto aims all-round development

Congress, he said, had not implemented most of its promises made in previous poll manifesto and therefore it lacked 'authority' to criticise BJP

Joining issue with Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram over his criticism of his party's election manifesto, BJP state President Pon Radhakrishnan today said the announcements would pave the way for all-round development of the country in a short period.

Responding to Chidambaram's criticism on BJP's promises of imposition of uniform Civil Code and abrogation of Article 370 which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir, he said the Congress leader, as a "senior advocate," must be aware of the specifics of the Constitution.

"I wish to point out to advocate Chidambaram that it has been mentioned in the constitution itself that the special provisions to (Jammu and) Kashmir were temporary," Radhakrishnan said in a statement here.

He said that the Finance Minister had 'patted himself' claiming various achievements by his government and asked if that was the case why was he shying away from contesting elections.

"If there are indeed achievements (by UPA) why are Congress leaders, particularly Chidambaram hiding by not facing the people. Leaders including him don't seem to give a convincing reply to people' questions in this regard," he said.

Radhakrishnan, contesting the April 24 Lok Sabha polls from Nagercoil, claimed that the BJP's election manifesto had various proposals that would ensure all-round development.

Congress, he said, had not implemented most of its promises made in the previous election manifesto and therefore it lacked the 'authority' to criticise the BJP's poll promises, he added.

Chidambaram had said that BJP's promises on building Ram temple, imposition of Uniform Civil code and abrogation of special status to Jammu and Kashmir were controversial and that they would divide the country and disrupt social harmony.