New Delhi, Oct 4 (ANI): Asserting that the common man is not safe in the state ruled by Narendra Modi, Congress leader Jagdambika Pal on Thursday alleged that there is state-sponsored terrorism in Gujarat.
Pal said Modi has so far won the assembly polls in Gujarat by playing the communal card and not on the issue of development.
"The Congress never plays the communal card. Naroda Patiya massacre case, the Sohrabuddin case and the Gulbarg society case will be the issue in the Gujarat polls this time, and the manner in which the guilty have been protected. So, the issue this time will be that there is state-sponsored terrorism in Gujarat," said Pal.
"On one had they are boasting that Gujarat is on the development path, but on the other hand the common man there is not safe. The rights of the people are suppressed, innocent people are killed in encounters. So, the people will seek an answer from Narendra Modi this time as to why are innocent people killed in encounters in Gujarat, why are people killed in state-sponsored terrorism, he added.
When asked to comment on Modi's counter attack on UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Pal said that there can be no comparison between the Congress President and Gujarat Chief Minister.
"I would like to make it clear that there can be no Modi vs Sonia in the Indian politics. Sonia Gandhi is the chairperson of the ruling UPA Government. She even rejected the post of the Prime Minister despite all the allies wanting her to occupy the top position," said Pal.
"Narendra Modi can to go any level of communalism to continue as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. So, there can be no comparison," he added.
Pal further pointed out that Sonia Gandhi did not even mention his name during her address at a farmers rally in Rajkot yesterday, but just emphasized on the core issues concerning the common man of the country.
"And as far Narendra Modi hitting back, Sonia Gandhi did not even mention his name. She put up some important questions before the Gujarat Government, which talks of development. On one hand the BJP says that it is against corruption, while on the other hand Gujarat is one state where the Lokpal could not be appointed in the last 12 years and Narendra Modi is responsible for it," said Pal.
"If the Congress-ruled states can provide three extra LPG cylinders to the people, then why can's Gujarat follow the same model. Even today the VAT tax is much higher in Gujarat because of which the common man there has to pay more for petrol and diesel. So, despite of answering all these questions, he is launching a attack on Soniaji or Congress Party," he added.
Modi earlier in the day hit back at Sonia Gandhi, and charged the ruling party at the Centre of defaming Gujarat.
Modi alleged that the Congress failed to keep each and every promise made to the people.
"Congress is responsible for inflation and price rise in the country. Congress failed to keep each and every promise made to the people," he told a rally in Dahod.
Modi, who is seeking a third consecutive term, claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would win all the seats in Rajkot, where Sonia Gandhi addressed a rally yesterday.
"Sonia's speech had nothing in it, newspapers didn't even publish it, only put big pictures. Cong has nothing to say here," he added.
Sonia Gandhi had earlier on Wednesday claimed that the Congress Party is responsible for all development that Gujaratis are now enjoying.
Gandhi, who kicked off the Congress Party's campaign in poll-bound Gujarat, said that the opposition was responsible for raking up baseless allegations while larger issues were going unnoticed.
"The Congress has laid down the foundation for growth in Gujarat. The Congress has tried to live up to its ideals, we have come a long way and still have miles to go. It is unfortunate that our opponents only see darkness and cannot see the development. The work the Congress has done for the development of Gujarat, no one else has done," Gandhi told a farmers rally at Rajkot in Gujarat.
"The opposition always misleads people about our development-oriented policies. It is the habit of some people to take credit for the work done by other people, let them do it," she added.
Gandhi asked the Gujarat Government to look into the farmers' problems, especially cases of suicide, and send a report to the Centre so that they can be compensated.
"Farmers are not getting aid on time. Farmers are committing suicides in Gujarat. We have taken up projects for benefit of farmers. The state government must send its demand to fight drought to Centre. We can't term India as advanced if farmers don't prosper. Farmers must get the right price for their produce," said Gandhi.
"UPA Government has given debt relief to farmers, helped in prosperity. We are also aware of the problems of the fishermen in this region and the Centre will work on them too," she added.
Gandhi further emphasized that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail would not affect the members of the farming community.
"FDI in retail will benefit the farmers of Gujarat. The opposition is misguiding the people on FDI in multi-brand retail. States are free to implement FDI move or sidestep it," said Gandhi.
"FDI means that the farmers will be able to get their produce to consumers, sellers without middlemen. If one Chief Minister doesn't want to implement FDI in his state, it is his choice. Why mislead the people and create such a big fuss over FDI?" she added.
Modi had earlier upped the ante with the allegation that the Central Government has spent a sum of Rs.1880 crores on Sonia Gandhi's foreign trips.
On Monday, Modi had alleged that Rs.1880 crores had been spent on Sonia Gandhi's foreign trips.
The Central Information Commission has made it clear that Sonia Gandhi has not sought any reimbursement for medical bills from the government.
The single-phase election in Himachal Pradesh will take place on November 4 this year, while the two-phase polls will take place in Gujarat on December 13 and 17.
Counting for both the states will take place on December 20. (ANI)
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