Monday, October 1, 2012

B'day boy recounts his days, calls Modi a 'demon'

Continuing his attack on Chief Minister Narendra Modi, rebel BJP leader Keshubhai Patel on Tuesday called him a “demon” who is responsible for the misery of common people of the state.
Patel was addressing a “Parivartan Sammelan” here that was attended by thousands.
The rally was timed to coincide with Patel's 84th birthday that fell on Tuesday.
The veteran BJP leader has already announced he will soon float a new party and has received support of other Modi detractors like Kashiram Rana, Suresh Mehta Nalin Bhatt and Gordhan Zadaphia, who were also present at the rally.
“When I was Chief Minister, the income tax revenue of Gujarat was Rs 7,000 crore. Today, the tax collection has gone up to Rs 50,000 crore. However, this government, instead of providing benefits to the poor and needy people, is favouring big industrial houses,” Patel alleged.
“This government reduced the per child food supply under the mid-day meal scheme at schools from 215 grams to 150 grams. Children and women are suffering from malnutrition but this government is not interested in solving their problems,” the former CM said.
“There are 10 lakh unemployed youths in the state.
If my party comes to power, we will give them jobs or unemployment allowance till they find jobs.”
Recounting his achievements during his chief ministership, Patel said the agriculture growth rate then was 14 per cent against the current eight per cent during Modi's rule.
Patel also hit out at the central BJP leadership. “The BJP has lost its original glory and ethics. It's now run by mafias and the high command has become a tool of Narendra Modi.”
The former CM also alleged that Modi had favoured the Tata group to bring Nano plant to Gujarat.
He also claimed that the CM feared Lokayukta and so his government had gone to the Supreme Court against his appointment.
Meanwhile, supporters collected and gifted Rs 84 lakh to Patel, who announced the money would be handed over to organisers who should use it for the poor.