Jaipur, Oct 28: Even as the BJP stepped up its attacks on Rajasthan government for alleged non-performance, corruption and misrule, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has expressed confidence that the Congress would return to power in the state after the coming assembly elections. “I believe the electorate would back us by providing its mandate for our government's unprecedented achievements,” Gehlot told reporters here last night.

The large rush for party ticket to contest in the election showed the huge popularity of Congress which will contest the coming polls on the development plank, he said. To a question if anti-incumbancy factor would have any impact on the outcome of the polls, chief minister said it might have no affect as people in rural areas were satisfied with development works undertaken during the last five years.

Rejecting the opposition BJP charge of government's non-performance and insensitivity in tackling the problems thrown up by the drought situation, Gehlot said, "Fine management of the drought situation should give us positive dividends in the polls". Asserting that his government has honoured all promises made during the 1998 elections, he dismissed the BJP charge that Congres has failed to fulfil its promises made in its election manifesto.

Bureau Report