Bengal-model is better than Gujarat's, claims Mamata

Ranchi, Apr 5:

Chief Minister

today ridiculed BJP's prime ministerial candidate

for 'harping on the

-model', saying that 'West Bengal model is better'. "What is Gujarat model? It has only 15 per cent revenue earnings while Bengal's is 31 per cent (per annum), which points toward very good economic performance by Bengal," Banerjee said while addressing an election meeting here.

"National average of infant mortality is 44 per cent — Gujarat's is 41 per cent and Bengal’s is 32 per cent," she said while appealing to vote for her Trinamool Congress candidate Bandhu Tirkey from Ranchi and Chamra Linda from Lohardaga LS seat.

Counting her government's achievements in Bengal, Banerjee said as many as eight universities were set up in two and a half years, 45 colleges and polytechnic institutes were also opened in her state.

Local artisans and folk singers were also assisted in earning a living, she said, adding cycles, scholarships and assistance to Madrasas were also being extended by her government. "So, which model should you prefer — Gujarat's or Bengal's?" Banerjee asked and warned the people if they prefer peace to riots than "don't vote to BJP, which is a communal party".

"Chance doesn't come very often. And you have got one now (voting), use it judiciously so that you don't regret later... And Trinamool Congress keeps its promises," Banerjee said, while addressing an impressive turnout both in Hindi and Bengali.

"I came out from the Congress because it says something and does something else," she added. Attacking the Manmohan Singh government for price rise, the Trinamool Congress supremo asked, "How can the poor afford when prices of gas cylinders, petrol and other products are increased regularly?"

PTI