Cong lacked development vision: Chouhan

Bhopal, Nov 21 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party today charged that Congress lacked development vision resulting in Madhya Pradesh remaining backward in the past 50 years and said the BJP was committed to take it to the rank of developed states in the next five years.

Addressing a news conference here during a brief halt amid whirlwind tour of the state, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said ''development was the party's main poll plank and it was approaching the people for vote on the basis of its work on development and welfare sectors in the last five years''.

Criticising the Congress for delayed launching of its manifesto, the Chief Minister said apparently the Congress was waiting for the release of BJP manifesto. In the game of one-upmanship, Congress promised many impractical things without considering its impact on the state exchequer, he said, adding the BJP made promises after considering its practical impact and budgetary support.

''In addition to the party's manifesto, Union Minister for Commerce Kamalnath also made some additional promises. The people were confused as they felt it was a fraud on them and the Congress should clarify it as political credibility was at stake'', he said.

Mr Chouhan said the BJP was getting massive support even from minorities though it could not field any candidate of minority community. ''Congress frustrated over the massive support to BJP was making baseless allegations including raising Hindu terrorism to divert people's attention. Development as the main poll issue was a good signal for democracy'', he pointed out.

Stating that the state was witnessing bipolar politics for several decades with main players being Congress and BJP, Mr Chouhan said other minor parties could not dent into the vote bank of the main parties. Even Bahujan Samaj Party could not cross the 11 seat tally, he said ruling out further polarisation.

About the pay revision of employees of public sector undertakings, the Chief Minister said he had no objection since it was announced with the Election Commission's clearance, but the timing was not appropriate.

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