Modi?s communal politics dividing the state, says Manmohan
A day after the Election Commission (EC) slapped a notice on Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi for justifying the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter killing, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lashed out at Modi for ?dividing? Gujarat on communal lines and attempting to create an ?atmosphere of fear?.
In his first public appearance in Gujarat for the forthcoming Assembly polls, the prime minister took on the Gujarat chief minister for polarising the state along communal lines, which, he said, could hurt the growth of the state.
On Modi?s statements on the Sohrabuddin killing he said it was ?unfortunate? that people were making comments on the case, adding that ?no one in Gujarat can say that the law in the state is equal for all. And in matters relating to terrorism people are being led astray and being killed without any reason.?
?Division of people is a big handicap for the state. Gujarat cannot maintain status quo. It has to march forward. This government thinks on narrow lines,? Singh said.
Meanwhile, the BJP released its much-awaited election manifesto on Friday. The 23-page manifesto for Gujarat polls touches upon issues concerning a large cross-section of people in the state, but has apparently missed any reference to the minorities.
Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley told reporters, ?That is because our manifesto applies uniformly to all 5.5 crore people in Gujarat. The BJP has always been firmly committed to the welfare of the entire Gujarati population.? The manifesto promises a poverty-free Gujarat in the next five years.
Also speaking on the occasion Gujarat BJP president Purshottam Rupala said, ?Garibi mukt Gujarat is the number one promise we have made. During the next five years, the phrase below poverty line will be removed from rural Gujarat.?