BJP's Gujarat model will explode like 'India Shining': Rahul

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi Tuesday said the Gujarat model of development would burst after the Lok Sabha election - just as the BJP's "India Shining" burst after the 2004 polls.

He was addressing rallies in Aurangabad of Bihar and earlier in Jharkhand's Godda district. He formally started the party's election drive in Bihar Tuesday.

"I would like to remind you that in 2004, BJP's campaign balloon of 'India Shining' exploded and the Congress-led UPA government was formed. This time again, BJP's Gujarat model campaign balloon will again rupture and the UPA will form the government," Gandhi said with full confidence in Aurangabad.

He promised that UPA-III would pass the Women's Reservation Bill.

"BJP's campaign balloon of Gujarat model is not fit for others. Bihar needs Bihar model in place of Gujarat model," Gandhi said.

Congress candidate Nikhil Kumar, a former governor of Kerala, also addressed the rally. Congress' ally and RJD chief Lalu Prasad was absent.

Earlier in Godda, Gandhi said: "...Now, the opposition has come out with the Gujarat model and pumping air in the balloon and blowing it up. The model will also burst after the elections."

He reminded people about the performance of the UPA-I and UPA-II governments during the last 10 years.