Nadiad: The emergence of Aam Aadmi Party is a warning for established parties and if they do not listen to people`s voice, they will soon become history, Union Minister Jairam Ramesh said on Sunday.
"Aam Aadmi Party has redefined the political scenario. It has also altered the political discourse. It was limited to Delhi till now. But, if Congress, BJP and regional parties do not listen to people`s voice, they will soon become history," Ramesh said here.
"AAP`s performance in the Assembly elections in Delhi is a victory of the voice of people. The party`s emergence is a warning for all the parties," he said.
Ramesh was in this central Gujarat city to inaugurate a cancer hospital.
On Gujarat government`s allegations that the state was being discriminated against in allocation of funds, Ramesh said the Centre studied the demands and representations made by Gujarat and allocated funds accordingly.
"Modi alleges in his public rallies across the country that the Centre does not help Gujarat and that it is discriminating against the state," Ramesh said.
"The representations made by Gujarat government are studied thoroughly before being passed and funds are allocated depending on the project," he said.
Gujarat was recently allocated Rs 700 crore for construction of 1,200 km roads in rural areas. The Rs 1,200 crore sought by the state government under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) had also been sanctioned, he said, denying discrimination.
Union Ministers Dinsha Patel and Bharatsinh Solanki were also present.
Accusing Modi of indulging in "doublespeak" on the issue of corruption, Ramesh said, "On one hand, Modi talks about eliminating corruption from the country and on other hand, he shakes hands with former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yedyurappa.
"Karnataka Lokayukta has indicted Yedyurappa, he had to resign as CM and was removed from the party. And today, he is inducted back into the party. This shows Narendra Modi`s doublespeak on corruption," Ramesh said.
"Modi says, we want a Congress-free India, but Congress says we want a corruption-free India."
Charging BJP with indulging in divisive politics, he said, "There have been changes in the last ten years. The atmosphere of peace and harmony has prevailed. For the first time, railway work has been initiated in Jammu and Kashmir. Panchayat elections were held and people have been elected. And, they want peace and harmony.
"But BJP indulges in divisive politics, which will not yield result in Jammu and Kashmir," he said.
The 2014 Lok Sabha elections will be a direct contest between Congress and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), he contended.
There are eight states in India where RSS and Congress will directly contest against each other, Ramesh said, adding that the coming elections will see a contest of ideologies, not personalities.
The 2002 riots, he said, were a big blot on Narendra Modi`s government. "Modi should apologise for 2002 riots. He should act for harmony."
