Sonia attacks Modi on tribal issues

Says BJP government making hollow promises seeks radical change in Gujarat

Claiming that Narendra Modi government in the state was making hollow promises, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Friday attacked it on development of tribals at an election rally in Mandvi taluka of South Gujarat.

Speaking at the huge gathering in the tribal dominated belt, Gandhi sought a radical change in the state governance. She, however, refrained from taking Modi's name during the entire speech, unlike the Gujarat chief minister who has been constantly referring her by the name during his campaign speeches.

"Why the people in the tribal areas are still poor. Why there has been no change in quality of life or economic condition despite the Rs 15,000 crore Van Bandhu Kalyan Yogna of the state government," the Congress president asked while campaigning for her party candidate from Mandvi Prabhu Vasava.

"Where are the funds and the facilities promised by state government under the scheme for the tribals. There is still no drinking water in the hilly areas of south Gujarat...What happened to the reservoirs which the BJP had assured?" she added.

"The UPA government has waived crores worth of farmer loans, but farmers here are struggling due to the anti-farmer policies of the state government. BJP is making hollow promises," the Congress leader said.

Gandhi further blamed the BJP government in the state for on non-implementation of Forest Land Rights Act, giving land ownership to tribals over forest land.

"The BJP government has unfortunately killed the cooperative movement in tribal areas," she added.

She said that there has been a strong relation between Congress and the tribals of the South Gujarat who have always had faith in the party. "For its selfish political motives the BJP is trying to breach our relations. I would assure you that our party will continue to preserve this valuable relationship," Gandhi said.

She said that it was Congress which had laid foundation of agriculture and Industries in Gujarat countering claims of the Modi government.

Gandhi further countered the claims of Modi on the issue of cotton farmers in the state, which he has been making during his election speeches. She said that the UPA had raised the minimum support price (MSP) of cotton as never before.

Gandhi further attacked Modi government over the fishing community in the South Gujarat region and said that there had been no change in their quality of life despite the Rs 12,000 crore Sagar Khedu Yojna of the state government.

"There are large number of unemployed youths and malnourished children. Besides there is also lack of health and educational facilities. Even law and order is in an appalling state. Why is that?" she asked.

"The UPA government has given thousands of crores to the states including Gujarat government but I do not know where that money has gone as it has not reached its real beneficiaries," Gandhi said.