Gujarat: BJP, Cong lock horns over fishermen in election year

"BJP government has ignored every section of society in the state, including fishermen who were forced to suffer big financial losses because of the government policies," PCC president Arjun Modhvadia said while flagging off the 11-day-long 'save coastal area' rally from Porbandar.

While Congress had made fishermen available diesel at cheaper rate by waiving VAT and Sales Tax, the Narendra Modi government has imposed a 25 per cent tax on the commodity, he said.

"BJP government has discontinued the subsidies for fishing community and now each boatman is incurring a loss of Rs. 2.5 to 3 lakh," Modhvadia alleged.

Rebutting the charge, state BJP spokesperson I K Jadeja alleged it was Congress that was "spreading lies" and was solely responsible for making the coast "unsafe".

"During Congress' rule, Gujarat's coastal area was being considered as the safest entry point for terrorists and smugglers and BJP government made it safe," he said.

Jadeja claimed the BJP government had launched many schemes for the welfare of fishermen.