Modi slams UPA Govt for adopting anti-Gujarat attitude

Ahmedabad, Dec 12 (UNI) Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today slammed Congress-led UPA government at the Centre for adopting an anti-Gujarat attitude and putting up hurdles in the state's march to development.

Addressing a series of public meetings in Harij, Sidhpur, Idar and Himmatnagar in Gujarat, Mr Modi accused Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her party of trying to tarnish the image of the state.

Calling upon the people of Gujarat to give another term for BJP to ensure faster development of the state, he said the Congress had not been able to accept political stability and process of development in the state.

The Congress had only insulted 5.50 crore Gujaratis by underlining the areas where the state was lagging behind, he alleged and asked the people to avenge this insult by defeating the Congress in the elections.

Mr Modi charged that the Centre had raised objections over increasing the height of Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada river.

Instead of extending Central assistance to the development schemes for water, gas, electricity, tribal welfare, roads, railways and ports, it was trying to suffocate power of people.

He said ''we have finished corruption and harassment of mafia and 'taporis' (miscreants) in last five years and that's why BJP is getting massive support from the masses.'' Life of common citizens had become miserable because of skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, but Mrs Gandhi was not pained at the plight of the people, he alleged.

Mr Modi said ''Thirty per cent districts of country are victims of terrorism, still, the Congress leaders are seeking to protect merchants of death. We have made Gujarat safe, provided water to dry land by linking Narmada and othe rivers. Providing 24 hour power supply to all villages. You will see North Gujarat will get gas via gas-grid pipeline. Is this not a fitting reply to false Congress charges?,'' he asked.

He said ''Congress, which could file a false affidavit in the Supreme Court to delete the existence of Lord Ram, and call Hindus 'terrorists' cannot be trusted.'' ''Official reports by Central ministries, Planning Commission, RBI and International monetary agencies are lauding Gujarat's development but Mrs Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh are trying to dismiss them as illusory!'' he charged.

UNI