NCP open to alliance with Congress in Gujarat

Ahmedabad, Aug 13 (UNI) The Gujarat unit of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is open to forging an alliance with the Congress for the upcoming Assembly Elections in the state.

''We believe that all parties with secular credentials should come together to fight communal forces in Gujarat. As regards an alliance with the Congress, we are open to it,'' Gujarat NCP president Jayant Patel said while speaking to reporters here today.

Former state Chief Minister Chhabildas Mehta was also present at the press conference along with Mr Patel.

Mr Mehta, speaking on the occasion, launched a scathing attack against the Modi Government and expressed apprehensions that there could be rigging during the elections.

''If free and fair elections are conducted in the state, then the Modi Government will surely face defeat,'' Mr Mehta said.

Mr Mehta alleged that Mr Narendra Modi had employed government officials to raise funds for the celebration of various state-sponsored festivals to boost his personal image. ''Mr Modi's public image has taken a strong beating, so much so that he has to hire people to attend his functions,'' he said.

Mr Mehta also alleged that the Central funds for various schemes had been misused in the state and demanded a CBI inquiry into the same.

''Gujarat has always been known as the country's number one prosperous state. However, today it is one of the most debt-ridden states in the country because of Mr Modi,'' he alleged.

UNI