Modi envisages Chhattisgarh going ahead of Gujarat

Says former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee created three states without a single drop of blood and violence

Gujaratis have reasons to worry! Chhattisgarh could move ahead of it in the years to come. And the prediction came from none other than their Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

The BJP’s prime ministerial candidate said Chhattisgarh would move ahead of “developed” Gujarat in next five years in terms of growth. “It would be a proud moment for me when Chhattisgarh would score over Gujarat,” he added.

While addressing a gathering in Jagdalpur Thursday afternoon, Modi said the foundation of Chhattisgarh at the hands of 10-year BJP rule had been strong. “A huge structure could be built on the foundation,” he added.

Referring to the state reorganisation, he said former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee created three states without a single drop of blood and violence---signalling the bloodbath over Telangana formation recently. Chhattisgarh developed because it was saved from Congress' rule, he added.

Elaborating on his statement, Modi said Uttarakhand and Jharkhand were left behind but Chhattisgarh developed. “The reason, people didn't choose Congress here and it developed because you chose Raman Singh and the BJP," he said.

Modi said under the Congress rule, the state would have left far behind in terms of development.