Vajpayee-Advani partnership replaced by Modi-Adani: Rahul Gandhi escalating 'toffee remark' row

Hingoli, Maharashtra: Vajpayee-Advani partnership has been replaced by Modi-Adani one, Rahul Gandhi said today, taking a jibe at the Gujarat chief minister and his alleged favours to the Adani group.

Addressing a rally in Hingoli, Maharashtra, he said Modi had given land equal to the size of Aurangabad in Maharashtra to Adani just for Rs. 300 crore at the rate of Re one per square metre.

"Today there is 'raj' (rule) of Adaniji (in Gujarat). Earlier, there used to be (Atal Bihari) Vajpayeeji-(LK) Advaniji partnership. Now there is (Narendra) Modiji and (Gautam) Adaniji partnership. And that is a 'toffee model'," the Congress Vice President said, attacking the Gujarat Chief Minister.

"Earlier there used to be Advaniji. If you remove 'v' from Advani, it will become Adani," he said.

Explaining why he was calling Gujarat's model as 'toffee model', Rahul said, "In Gujarat, Adaniji is given land at the rate of Re one per square metre. For Re one, you get a toffee. This is why I say it is not Gujarat model but 'toffee model' of development."

His reiteration of 'toffee model' barb came on a day Modi took a jibe at him for such comments.

Rahul alleged that while 40 lakh people in Gujarat were below poverty line and suffering, Modi was extending benefits to few industrialists like Adani.

"Modiji, the leader of 'toffee' model, has given 45,000 acres of land to one industrialist. It is of the size of Aurangabad. Do you know for how much money it was given? Rs. 300 crore. The whole Aurangabad was sold for Rs. 300 crore," he charged.

He talked about the Congress' plans for development, including creation of industrial corridors, in the country.