Politics over Sardar Patel statue reaches poll-bound MP

Congress hits back at Narendra Modi for his 'Statue of Unity' project

Politics over Saradar Patel also percolated in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh when Congress today hit back at Gujarat Chief minister Narendra Modi for his 'Statue of Unity' project that proposes installation of the world's tallest statue of the leader near Sardar Sarovar dam.

The party has said it would depend upon on Madhya Pradesh government if it wants to submerge all partially submerged areas to fulfill Modi's dream. On September 25, Modi had said in a public meeting that Central government is not giving its nod to place the statue at the dam.

"If the statue of Sardar Patel is to be put as Modi wants, dam height needs to be raised to another 20-25 meters as a result as many as 38,000 families of partially submerged area will fall under fully submerged area and another population of equal numbers will fall under partially submerged area.

"Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has to make it clear if his government has sufficient funds to resettle these families," Union Minister for water resource and poll coordinator for Madhya Pradesh, Harish Rawat said, "When Modi made this statement, Chouhan has clapped in response. Now, he should respond and clarify before public if he is ready."

The Sardar Sarovar Project, which has attained height 121.92 meter, is the costliest projects in India with a total of US 392.4 billion dollar expenditure.

And add to it, the Gujarat government spends Rs 5,000 crore every year on the project. While only statue project is learnt to have been estimated at Rs 2100 crore.

The state government has yet not been given nod by Narmada Control Authority to install spillway piers since its height will reach 138.62 meters. "If they have to do the statue project, I urge state chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to clarify on it. Modi has made statement only for political gains," Rawat further said.

Environmentalists have raised objections to the project that envisages installing 182 meter tall statue of Sardar Patel in middle of the water body of the dam.

Rawat also flayed Shivraj Singh Chouhan government for not giving credit for funds allocated by Central government in various irrigation projects.

"We have sanctioned Rs 1000 crore in the last five years, they have implemented the projects, it is a good sign but I have objections when they portray a negative image of the Central government," Rawat said. The BJP has so far not clarified on both the issues.

PM, Sonia to campaign in state

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Vice-chairman Rahul Gandhi will embark upon poll campaign in Madhya Pradesh from November 15. Gandhi will address two rallies on November 15 and 21 while Singh will address a rally in Jabalpur on November 17. Rahul Gandhi will also address public meetings in Madhya Pradesh at different locations for two days.

"Unlike BJP, it is not a culture in Congress that Central leadership takes over state poll campaign. We already have senior leaders like Digvijay Singh, Kantilal Bhuria and Kamalnath to campaign," a party senior leader said. Sachin Pilot, Kapil Sibbal, Manish Tiwari, Bhupendra Singh Hudda and Jairam Ramesh will also address public meetings in Madhya Pradesh where elections will take place on November 25.