Sonia seek votes for all round development in Gujarat

Idar (Gujarat), Dec 4 (UNI) Congress President Sonia Gandhi today urged the people of Gujarat to use their right to vote as the ''greatest weapon of democracy and defeat non-secular forces like the BJP.'' Ms Gandhi asked the people not to fall prey to the fake and false promises of the BJP and the Narendra Modi Government but vote the Congress to power in the state for its all round development.

Addressing a mammoth rally, attended by around 50,000 people at Netramani village near here this morning, she said ''Congress promises are real with an objective to make all round development of Gujarat and the Nation as per the tradition set by leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and others. We are proud of such leaders and their traditions, which guide us to walk on the right path to lead the nation in the right direction''.

Countering Chief Minister Narendra Modi's allegation that the Congress led UPA Government was soft on terrorism, Ms Gandhi said, ''Congress never relents in the fight against terrorists and terrorism, but, in fact it is Congress which has given more blood in fighting these elements to maintain integrity of the nation.'' She alleged the BJP Government was misleading the people of Gujarat by showcasing development of certain sections of society as a growth of the whole state.

Without naming Mr Modi, Ms Gandhi said the BJP leaders had mastered themselves in hiding their weaknesses and lauding their achievements to mislead the people.

Countering another allegation, the UPA Chairperson said the Centre had never adopted any step-motherly treatment to Gujarat in the past nor would do it in future. In fact, it was the BJP Government in the state which was either not extending nor implementing the benefits of certain Central Government schemes such as National Gramin Rojgar Yojna, Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Mission and others for farmers, tribals and poors.

The UPA Government had given health insurance cover and social security cover to poor and downtrodden people of the nation but certain state governments were not implementing such schemes for dirty politics of vote bank, she alleged.

She further alleged that in 1994, the Congress had promised to give land rights of 40,000 hectares of land to tribals of Gujarat, but, BJP ruled states had so far given land rights to tribals only for 21,000 hectares because of vote banks politics.

UNI