Poshina(Gujrat): Lashing out at the Congress, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today accused the party of "cheating" the public.
"Congress party is cheating people in the name of development. We forgive those who make mistakes but we never pardon those who cheat people," said Modi.
Taking a dig at Congress chief ministers who promised three extra LPG cylinders apart from the capped six, Modi asked how many chief ministers of that party have actually provided the additional cylinders to the public.
Modi said Congress party vowed to provide jobs to one crore youths in 2009 if they were voted to power. But none of the youths have actually got jobs, he claimed.
The Congress had promised to bring down price rise within 100 days but failed to deliver it. Is this not cheating? he asked the people.
In a veiled attack on the recent alleged deals of Sonia Gandhi`s son-in-law Robert Vadra, Modi said that he neither had a son nor a son-in-law who could ink deals, adding that his only aim is development and welfare of tribals.
Addressing a gathering in the tribal heartland in Poshina taluka of Sabarknatha district, Modi said, "For tribals to become doctors and engineers, there must be schools which offer classes 11th and 12th (science stream). From Umarpada (in South Gujarat) to Ambaji (in North Gujarat), my government has set up 93 schools with classes upto 12th standard (science stream) for tribal students."
He said in 2007, the state government had earmarked Rs 15,000 crore under the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana (VKY) for the development and welfare of tribals during an Assembly session.
"But, the Congress leaders soon began distributing pamphlets in tribal areas saying that Modi was lying," he alleged, adding that despite the Congress opposition, the BJP government set aside Rs 18,000 crore for the development of tribals.
Modi said in 2007, Congress president Sonia Gandhi had
come to Chhota Udepur to woo tribals and attracted large crowds, but got a thumping defeat in the ensuing polls.
"This time, she changed the direction (reference to Gujarat Congress` ad campaign "Disha badalvo") and came to Rajkot to address a public rally. But, the result will be no different," the chief minister added.
Modi was referring to Sonia Gandhi`s rally in Rajkot on October 3 where she addressed a huge gathering of farmers, attacking the BJP government on various issues ranging from farmers` suicides to delay in Narmada canal project.
He was felicitated for the announcement of creation of Poshina taluka, during the course of his month-long Vivekananda yatra which culminated at Pavagadh earlier this month.
PTI
