Guj Govt anti-farmer, responsible for communal discord: Sonia

Porbandar, Gujarat, Apr 13 (UNI) Congress President Sonia Gandhi today blamed the Narendra Modi-led BJP Government in the state for the ''woes of farmers and minorities, and the communal problems afflicting Gujarat.'' Addressing a massive public rally to mark the culmination of the ''Gandhi Sandesh Cycle Yatra'' that tarted from Ahmedabad on March 1 and concluded here today, Ms Gandhi accused the BJP of spreading communal hatred for political considerations.

Ms Gandhi said that although the BJP in Gujarat projected itself as a party dedicated to following the paths of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the reality was very different.

''Unke dil me kuch hai, aur jubaan par kuch aur hai (They have one thing in their hearts and something else on their lips),'' she said.

The BJP in Gujarat, in fact, is ignoring the values of truth and non-violence as preached by Gandhiji, she said.

She Gandhi urged the people to oppose such ''elements who were engaged in disturbing the communal harmony for their political ends''.

Ms Gandhi's rally assumes significance in the light of Gujarat assembly elections likely to be held towards the end of this year.

She said the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre has focusing attention on developmental issues and was committed to the improvement of power, water, irrigation, and educational facilities, as well as in the condition of women, farmers, and the poor.

Ms Gandhi said the Centre was also concerned about the welfare of fishermen, and was pursuing with Pakistan the issue of Indian fishermen who had strayed into Pakistani waters and are now languishing in jails there.

The Centre was also committed to empowering women by providing them with 33 per cent reservation in administration at the grassroots level and had already provided 33 per cent reservation to women in Panchayati Raj institutions, Ms Gandhi said.

The Congress has always fought for the cause of the poor, the farmers, the minority community and others, she claimed.

UNI