No democracy, only I, me, myself in Gujarat: PC

On the eve of the first phase of Gujarat polls, finance minister P Chidambaram today appealed to the people of the state to vote for Congress and bring a democratic government in the state.

"Democracy lies in plurality and multiple voices. Plural voices are not heard in the government. What I find in Gujarat is 'I, me, I alone, myself.' That is not democracy," Chidambaram said while addressing the media in Ahmedabad today.

Without naming Gujarat chief minister, Narendra Modi, the Congress leader said, "My appeal to the people of Gujarat is vote for a truly democratic party. Vote for a government and wish there will be multiple voices in the government and every section will be heard in the government. No one can arrogate himself that I am the state."

"It can't be that anyone can say I am the candidate here in all the 87 + 95 constituencies. That would be the death knell of the democracy if we equate an individual with the state," he said adding that in the congress party's rule in Gujarat, no one said 'I am the state. No one projected (himself) as a state.’

"What we want is a truly collective leadership with the all faces of the people (including) minorities, women, STs, SCs, OBCs and youth. All sections have their voice. Such a government can only be provided by the congress party," the union minister said.

Commenting on the growth of Gujarat, he mentioned that congress government under the past leaders like Madhavsinh Solaki, Chimanbhai Patel and Amarsinh Chaudhary had brought high growth for the state.

"This is the time to elect the congress party which laid the foundation of modern Gujarat. There needs a change of direction. Gujarat may have grown at a satisfactory rate, but that growth was skewed, lopsided and not inclusive. Congress stresses on Inclusive growth and inclusive development."

Commenting on the Congress' 12-point election agenda, Chidambaram noted that it was prepared keeping in mind the inclusive growth and development of the people of Gujarat. "In Gujarat large section is left behind, in particular tribal, women, minorities, SCs and even the whole area of Saurashtra has been left behind," he said taking a dig at the ruling BJP government.

He also stated that Centre, as alleged by the BJP, has not discriminated Gujarat in providing grants and loans.