Maharashtra CM asks Gujarat tribals to oust Modi govt

Valsad, Gujarat, June 5 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today urged tribals in Gujarat to ensure the BJP government's defeat in the state in the coming elections.

He was addressing a public meeting in Umargaon town of this district after flagging off a 14-day Adivasi Jan Jagran Yatra, organised by the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC).

Mr Deshmukh accused the incumbent government in Gujarat of favouring only the industrialists and rich at the cost of the poor and the downtrodden.

He scotched Mr Narendra Modi's claims that Gujarat had succeeded in attracting huge investments. ''How much of this money has actually reached your villages?'' he asked the gathering comprising mainly of tribals from South Gujarat.

For real progress to take place, there is need for schools, hospitals and basic amenities. But, these are lacking here, he said.

While claiming that Ms Sonia Gandhi's popularity was increasing, Mr Deshmukh remarked that this was causing much concern to Mr Modi as the Gujarat assembly elections are approaching near.

UNI