Gujarat model has become a political currency: Montek

Says the term 'Gujarat model' has become a political currency in the election campaign, but I am not sure exactly what it means

Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia has said the term 'Gujarat model' has become a "political currency" in the ongoing election campaign but he was not sure of its meaning.

"The term 'Gujarat model' has become a political currency in the election campaign, but I am not sure exactly what it means," he said.

Ahulwalia was replying to questions whether he feels the 'Gujarat model' is a good one for the rest of India at a India business conference at the Columbia Business School here.

Appearing on a video link on last Friday, he told faculty, students and entrepreneurs that people describe the Gujarat model of development as the one having the highest growth rate and attracting foreign capital.

"I am not aware of a single chief minister, who says his model does not depend on foreign capital. If you go to Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Punjab they are all keen to attract the foreign capital," he said. If by model one means the instrumentality, all states are saying they are keen to attract the foreign capital, he said.

There are several other chief ministers, who "would say exactly the same thing" about growth in their states what Gujarat has been saying about its development, Ahluwalia said.

"They don't call it a Gujarat model but a Haryana model" depending on the state, he added.

To a comment that Gujarat has the highest growth rate, Ahluwalia said the state has a high growth rate but not the highest. Bihar enjoys the highest growth rate, he added.

"Let's be clear. Gujarat traditionally has been a well performing state. Gujaratis are a very industrious, innovative group that has led the Indian industry for several years," he said.