Congress protected 'anti-social elements' during its rule in Gujarat: PM Modi at poll rally

Vadodara, Nov 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the people of Gujarat used to live under fear when the Congress was in power because "anti-social elements" were given protection by the party. He said during the long Congress rule, riots and curfews were quite common in Gujarat, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in power for the last 27 years.

The PM was addressing a poll rally - his third of the day - in Vadodara in support of BJP candidates ahead of next month's Assembly elections. Voting in Vadodara district will take place on December 5 in the second phase.

"Today's young generation may not know what was the situation (in Gujarat) two decades back -- riots and curfews were common. Anti-social elements used to terrorise people without any fear. They were given a free hand. That was the Congress' policy. Such elements were given protection by the government," said Modi, who served as Gujarat CM from 2001 to 2014.

He claimed a similar situation still prevails in states where the Congress is in power at present. Referring to the newly built Pavagadh Temple in adjoining Panchmahal district, which he inaugurated a few months ago, the PM said past Congress governments never thought of developing such places of worship due to "vote bank politics".

The PM said the Vadodara, Halol, Kalol, Godhra and Dahod belt will become a "hi-tech manufacturing corridor" in the near future. Voting to elect a new 182-member Gujarat Assembly will be held in two phases -- December 1 (89 seats) and 5 (93 seats) and ballots will be counted on December 8.

A total of 1,621 candidates are in the fray for 182 seats.