Modi criticises UPA govt for sluggish development

Ahmedabad, Sep 2:

Chief Minister

today slammed the Congress-led

government and the "dynastic rule" for tardy pace of development in the country.

"Rather than taking things forward, the UPA government has actually wasted a decade. The plane of UPA's economic policies, instead of taking off, has actually crash landed," Modi said, while addressing Gujarati diaspora in the US through video conferencing.

Taking a dig at Gandhi family, Modi said "dynasty rule was a big impediment for growth in India". "These youngsters who make India proud overseas with their knowledge and skills don't belong to any dynasty but are rising due to their talents," Modi said.

Reminding the gathering of the upcoming Assembly elections in Gujarat, Modi appealed the members of diaspora having Indian passports to exercise their franchise from their respective countries through postal ballot.

Following the widespread 2002 communal riots in Gujarat, US government had denied visa to Modi. The three-day World Gujarati Conference, 'Chaalo (Let's go to) Gujarat', is being held in Edison, New Jersey, USA.

Organised by Association of Indian Americans of North America (AIANA), the conference was attended by eminent Gujaratis from various walks of life, besides members of Indian diaspora, who gathered to listen to the Gujarat Chief Minister.

PTI