Rajkot: Calling China a "threat" to the local industries in Gujarat, state Congress today urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to do a rethink on the trade deals it signed with the neighbouring country during Chinese President Xi Jingping's visit last week.
"China is not only the biggest threat on the border, but also a threat to our small-scale industries in Gujarat, particularly in Saurashtra. The Modi government has signed business deals with China, which will destroy Saurashtra's small-scale industries," Congress state unit president Arjun Modhvadia told reporters here.
He was speaking on the sidelines of the party's state executive meeting held at Rajkot Engineering Association hall.
"Local industries, like engineering industry in Rajkot, tiles and clock manufacturing industry in Morbi, brass parts manufacturing industry in Jamnagar, Kutch's handicraf industry will have a tough time ahead for survivial as Modi government has signed MoUs with China," Modhvadia said.
During the Chinese President's recent visit, India and China signed MoUs that would help the Chinese investors in obtaining the required clearances and creating infrastructure facilities. The agreements include sister city pact between Guangzhou in China and Ahmedabad and setting up of an industrial park in the state.
Modhvadia said that Modi Government should do a rethink on the business relations with China.
"We have passed a resolution in the state executive meeting held here and urged the Modi government to rethink the business deals with China and also asked the Centre to take necessary steps for the protection of small-scale industries in Saurashtra," he said.
Stating that it was Congress' first state executive meet held outside Ahmedabad, Modhvadia said the party passed some more resolutions, which include demand of 16 hours power supply and sufficient fertilisers for farmers.
Another resolution hailed Congress' victory of three seats in the recent state assembly by-elections.
Talking about Congress' performance in the bypolls, Modhvadia said, "Modi Government has failed to fulfil its poll promises of bringing back black money, reducing inflation, giving befitting replies to Pakistan and China for the ceasefire violations and creating job opportunities for youths...Due to this failure, people have voted in favour of Congress."
The meeting was attended by the Opposition Leader in State Assembly Shankarsinh Vaghela, Shaktisinh Gohil, Siddharth Patel, among others.
