Sonia dismisses Guj Govt's claims of progress

Ahmedabad, Dec 13 (UNI) Congress president Sonia Gandhi today pooh-poohed the tall claims of the Gujarat government on development, saying the much-touted Rs 80,000 crore Sardar Sarovar Project on the Narmada river had turned futile when its waters flowed into the sea.

Addressing a huge public rally here today, Ms Gandhi said ''Our enemies were wearing the 'mukhota' (mask) of progress which has now come unstuck. People have seen the real face of these people who are purveying lies and falsehood in the name of progress.'' Enumerating the achievements of the UPA government, she claimed ''A corpus of Rs 25,000 crore has been allocated for farmers through which loans would be given at 7 per cent. The Centre has also raised the maximum support price (MSP) for crops like rice, wheat and cotton. New laws have been enacted for the protection of women and kids and all cases filed against the farmers (for power theft) would be withdrawn.'' She also spoke about a plan to spend 40 per cent of the revenue, generated by the civic bodies, for the betterment of women in the state.

''Today the question is not about defeating one party either the BJP or the Congress. The people must see the truth behind their statements. They keep popping up false promises to woo the people.

These people are past masters in uttering lies and hollow promises.

They talk of fighting corruption and hunger. See the Sujalam Sufalam project. It is reeking of corruption. Every Gujarati knows about it,'' Ms Gandhi alleged.

''In the anarchy that prevails in the state, even women and kids are not spared. Women are forced to commit suicide while children are being kidnapped,'' she maintained.

''Secondly, the regime talks of terrorism and its determination to fight terror. This 'mukhota' too has come off. These are the very people who had taken the terrorists and freed them in Afghanistan.

And after they were freed, the very same terrorists had planned an attack on Parliament,'' she continued, adding, ''Congress will never bow to terror, as Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi had sacrificed their lives in fighting terror.'' ''Congress does not fool people. If we form the government in Gujarat, we will do it for the prosperity of the people so that it benefits everyone,'' the UPA chairman said.

''It is not simply electing one party or the other. It is electing the 'viraasat' (legacy) of Sardar Patel, Indira Gandhi and Jawaharal Nehru. I am sure you will decide the right way,'' Ms Gandhi added.

UNI