India to ratify Paris climate deal on Oct 2: PM Modi

Tribune News Service

Kozhikode, September 25

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India will ratify the Paris climate deal on October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

“There is one work left in the CoP21 (Conference of Parties). Ratification is yet to be done and India too is yet to do it. Today on the birth anniversary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay, I announce that India will ratify the decisions on October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi," he said while addressing BJP's National Council meet.

Modi said he had chosen the date, which is next Sunday, as Mahatma Gandhi's life was an example of minimum carbon footprint.

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During the Paris climate meet in December last, more than 190 nations had agreed on setting ambitious goals for capping global warming and funnelling trillions of dollars to poor countries facing climate catastrophe.

The pact will come into force after it is ratified by at least 55 countries that account for 55 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Talking about the need to ratify the COP21 decision, Modi said there is a looming threat due to global warming to many coastal countries and cities. Even Kerala, where the conclave was being held, is also a coastal area.

Maintaining that the BJP is a cadre-based party, Modi called for turning the 11-crore members into cadres. He asked BJP leadership to connect with the grassroots and increase the foot print of the party.

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The PM also pitched for electoral reforms. “During the coming year discussion should be held on the issue.”

“I think this is time to bring about electoral reforms. In the centenary year of Jan Sangh ideologue Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, we can organise seminars across the country on electoral reforms," Modi said.

"At least we should start brainstorming the issue, and we will see what amrit (nectar) will come out of this churning," he said.

He said that even members from other political parties have been asking him to bring about electoral reforms, but it would be better if changes emerged after thorough brainstorming.

This is at least the third time in as many months that the Prime Minister has called for electoral reforms, including simultaneous parliamentary and state assembly elections, in the country.

He asked the media to take up alleged incidents of “human rights violation” in Kerala. “The way RSS-BJP cadres are being targeted in Kerala should also be discussed by the BJP leadership in respective states,” he said.

Modi also stressed the need for creating an alternate politics as advocated by Deen Dayal Upadhyay who had always suggested that no section of people should be left neglected or considered as tools to garner votes.

Citing the "vikrut paribhasha (distorted definition)" of secularism propagated in the country, he recalled that long back, Upadhyaya, founding father of the Jan Sangh -- the predecessor of the ruling BJP -- had said Muslims should not be mere tools to garner votes nor neglected.

Deen Dayal had said Muslims should not be treated as "substance of vote market", said Modi.

“It is in this context, we have launched our developmental programmes based on the spirit of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas," Modi said.

“We have always tried to uphold his principles and today we again pledge ourselves to rededicate for the cause of such inclusive development," he said. — With agencies