Congress attacks poll-bound BJP states for corruption

New Delhi, Nov 18 (UNI) Ahead of the final phase of assembly polls in Chhattisgarh, the Congress today launched a virulent attack on the BJP government in the state, charging it with corruption and misappropriation of central funds.

AICC Spokesman Manish Tewari told mediapersons that the UPA government at the Centre had extended all help to the Chhattisgarh government, but it had failed miserably to implement the Central projects.

"There was no development in Chhattisgarh. The BJP leaders had pocketed the government money," he alleged.

He said the Centre had given all help to the Chhattisgarh government to tackle naxalism. "But the state government had not utilised it effectively." In this context, Mr Tewari referred to the BJP's allegation that the Congress was soft on terror, and asked "if the BJP consider the naxalites as terrorists." On the allegation of the BJP that the Congress-led government at the Centre had adopted a step-motherly attitude towards its governments, especially the election going states such as Chhattigarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, Mr Tewari said the UPA government had approved an outlay of Rs 53,730.43 crore for Chhattisgarh during the 11th plan (2007-2012) as against Rs 11,000 crore during the tenth plan period.

He said the outlay of Madhya Pradesh had also gone up more than two times with its 11th plan outlay fixed at 70,329.28 crore as against RS 26,189.93 crore during the tenth plan period.

The plan outlay of Rajasthan had gone up to Rs 71,731.90 crore for the 11th plan from Rs 27,318 crore for the tenth plan.

"These figures will show that the allegation of the BJP against the UPA government was unfounded and baseless," Mr Tewari said.

UNI SH GT RK1848