New Delhi, July 20: BJP today rejected the demand for imposition of Presidents rule in Gujarat before assembly elections and accused Congress and Left parties of adopting double standards and betraying their "weakness, nervousness and unpreparedness". Addressing a press conference here party president Venkaiah Naidu countered the Congress demand asking if that was the case then why not have President's rule in Congress ruled states where elections are due next year. "Congress talks of idealism and ideology when in the opposition," he said. Accusing the Congress and left parties of double standards, Naidu said that on one hand they are saying they are prepared to face election while on other hand they do not want elections to be held. He challenged the Congress to face the election saying, "We are ready, if you are ready, let us go to the people and let them decide."
Naidu said that the Congress had for the past two months been saying that it was ready for elections in Gujarat. "When the state BJP says that it is ready for elections then why are you (Congress) against it. What is the rationale behind this double standard. Are you afraid and nervous," he asked.
Welcoming Gujarat government's decision to go for the polls, he said "moral courage is needed to go to the people." Naidu said that trade and commerce was looking up and development work in the state was going on well. In panchayat elections, the voting had been about 75 per cent and therefore the state government felt that it was better to seek the peoples' mandate.
Bureau Report