By Rajeev Khanna, IANS
Surat : Taking a clear dig at Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday said the time had come for Gujarat to return to “the mainstream of Indian polity”.
After addressing a well-attended public meeting here, the prime minister told reporters: “India is respected as a one billion strong country where democracy is thriving. Gujarat should return to the mainstream of Indian polity that draws its strength from democracy, secularism and multiple religions and ethnicity.
“It cannot happen that the country moves forward and Gujarat moves in another direction. The clash is about looking at India in two ways and how it will move forward.”
Manmohan Singh refused to comment on the controversy sparked by Modi’s virtual defence of the killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh in an alleged fake gun battle, saying the matter was “sub judice”.
But he said it was “unfortunate” if someone has commented on the case in a manner that could lead to “distraction from the well-entrenched democracy”.
Asked if the Congress would make fresh efforts to investigate the 2002 communal killings, Singh said that all the cases related to the violence were at various states of investigation.
“Every effort will be made to restore public confidence in the rule of law. All people have (to have) a feeling that the government belongs to them and everyone has equal rights and liberties.”
In his address to the people before elections in the state on Dec 11 and 16, the prime minister was very critical of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government on the issue of law and order.
“I do not have much to say about the law and order situation here. If you are with the government machinery you are safe and if you are not with the government then god help you.
“Is the Indian constitution not equal for everyone? Nobody in Gujarat can say that the government is providing security to everyone on the basis of equality.”
He went on: “You are engrossed in the talk of fight against terrorism. People are being killed without any reason. Is there no legal way? Do we want to do away with the legal rights in this country?
“Was this able to stop the happenings at Raghunath temple in Jammu, Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar or the Kargil incident?
“In my opinion a fear psychosis is being created. If we think of development and future, Gujarat can become more prosperous.”
Referring to the BJP rule in the state, the prime minister said in his address to the people: “Do you think that your life is better (under BJP rule)? Is every citizen of Gujarat – be it women, girls, minorities, tribals, Scheduled Caste – able to lead daily lives without fear? Are you happy with the governance?”
He countered the claims made by the BJP on various fronts with the claim that the BJP had been trying to take credit for the schemes that have actually been introduced by the central government.
“I want to tell you that the conditions in Gujarat are not as good as are being projected. Your government excels in making big promises, bringing out big advertisements, showing you dreams through radio and television. Development does not come about through promises and publicity, it is always visible.”
Manmohan Singh said that the foundations of industrial development in Gujarat were laid in the decade of the 1960s when the Congress ruled the state. He pointed out that Gujarat was developing not because of the performance of the state government but because of the enterprising spirit of Gujaratis.
He said the present indicators of growth and development convey that Gujarat was not performing to its optimum capacity.
The prime minister also reminded the people of south Gujarat how the central government had come forward to help them when the region, particularly Surat, reeled under floods in 2006.
“Everyone knows what was the cause of the floods,” he said, making a veiled attack on the BJP government.
Talking to reporters on the allegations levelled by Modi that the central government had discriminated against Gujarat, Manmohan Singh said: “I repudiate the charge that the centre has in any way discriminated against Gujarat.”
He described Modi’s outlooks as a “signs of weakness” and said no political party should divide the people.