Modi favouring industrialists in return of favours: Modhwadia

Gandhinagar, Sep 27 (UNI) Leader of Opposition in the Gujarat assembly Arjun Modhwadia today accused Chief Minister Narendra Modi of taking favours from industrialists.

''Mr Modi has flown about 100 times within and outside the country and, out of his twelve foreign tours, he has travelled by special aircraft belonging to his industrial friends or by chartered aircraft on nine occasions,'' he alleged, while talking to mediapersons here today. He said he had obtained details of Mr Modi's air travels by invoking the RTI Act.

It is because of his friendship with industrialists that Mr Modi has granted them concessions and incentives worth Rs 15,000 crore, Mr Modhwadia alleged.

While he claims to donate all gifts received in his official capacity to foster projects like the ''Kanya Kelavani (Girls' education)'', Mr Modi has availed benefits worth crores of rupees from the corporate houses, Mr Modhwadia alleged.

Helicopters, aircraft and chartered aircraft of corporate houses are kept on standby for Mr Modi for any foreign tour, Mr Modhwadia said.

The Chief Minister had undertaken five trips during 2003, 16 trips during 2004, 24 trips during 2006 and 34 trips in just four months of this year from January 1 to May 10 using aircraft of the corporate houses, Mr Modhwadia said.

UNI