BJP pulls up Manmohan Singh over Gujarat remarks

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday criticised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for questioning the development record of poll-bound Gujarat.

"Gujarat and people of Gujarat need leaders not readers. If Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh want to get into power with an expired script, this would remain their dream only," said BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. Naqvi also alleged that the Congress had hindered the development in Gujarat, tried to sully the pride of Gujarat and defame Gujarat. "They have hindered the development in Gujarat, they tried to sully the pride of Gujarat and defame Gujarat. Apart from it, they have done nothing to help development in Gujarat or to take Gujarat forward in the mainstream of development," added Naqvi. Meanwhile, defending the Prime Minister, the Congress Party said his observations were apt and they would form the government in state. "The Prime Minister has aptly mentioned in Gujarat that we will form the government and every Gujarati will realise that his life and property is safe," said Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi. Addressing his first poll rally in Vansada, Singh said that Gujarat`s development was only for a few people while large sections remain untouched by it. "There are no employment opportunities, development is limited to a select few... large sections untouched by it and the benefits of Central schemes are not reaching aam aadmi especially minorities and backward community," he said "Just look at Gujarat... A major chunk of younger generation is unemployed... The UPA introduced Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act to enhance the livelihood security of people in rural areas... MGNREGA has provided jobs to 1 crore Gujaratis since 2005," he said. "Sadly, the benefits are not reaching you... I promise that we will assure you will be benefited if you open the doors of Gujarat for Congress. The Gujarat will shine under Congress and we will show you the real development," he added. Further attacking the state`s education infrastructure, Dr Singh said: "Education infrastructure is not good here, tribal children have not been granted good education due to the state government. Gujarat will go to the polls in two phases on December 13 and 17. The counting of votes will take place on December 20. ANI