Digvijay Singh challenges Modi to a debate on development

Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh on Thursday challenged Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to a debate on development after the latter taunted Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on the occasion of 67th Independence Day.

Singh said Modi's lust for becoming the Prime Minister had crossed all limits.

"No chief minister has ever used such words against the honorable Prime Minister on Independence Day. I think, at this point of time, we all should unitedly work for India's progress," said Singh.

"I don't know what has and what has not taken place in Gujarat; you leave aside the Prime Minister, and have a debate with Digvijay Singh, I am ready for it," he added.

Launching a frontal attack on the Prime Minister, Modi today issued a challenge to have a competition on development between Gujarat and Delhi.

"When we talk about independence, the map of Gujarat naturally flashes before our eyes. Both the non-violent and revolutionary paths to independence went through Gujarat," said Modi in his Independence Day speech at Bhuj.

"Both Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel were from Gujarat and so were many illustrious revolutionaries who hailed from Kutch," he added.

Holding the Prime Minister responsible for corruption and rising inflation, Modi said: "Even after 60 years, we are still slaves."

Modi also criticized the Prime Minister for taking a soft stand against Pakistan.

"I expected PM would make a strong statement from Red Fort. Prime Minister should have talked tough from the ramparts of Red Fort," he said.

"The Red Fort should have been used to boost the morale of our armed forces especially after the recent incidents at the border," he added.

Earlier on August 6, five Indian soldiers were killed by Pakistani Specialist Forces on August 6 along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch District.