God save country from development models like Gujarat: Sonia Gandhi at Punjab rally

Barnala: Congress president Sonia Gandhi said the BJP's much touted Gujarat Model is actually 'Modi model' under which the common man is suffering in the state and may God save the country from it.

"BJP's chief campaigner is selling Narendra Modi model in the name of Gujarat. What is happening in Gujarat under this model? Sikhs living there since past 50 years were being forced to leave the state," Sonia said while addressing an election rally in Malwa belt of Punjab on Saturday.

"May God please save this country from this model," she said.

She attacked the Akali Dal for joining hands with BJP and not raising its voice for the Sikhs in Gujarat.

"Akalis rather than raising voice against them (BJP) are colluding with them and they are partners in this atrocity against Sikhs in Gujarat," said Sonia.

"In Gujarat every second five-year-old child is malnutritioned and those who get Rs 11 per day are not considered below poverty line in Modi model," she added.

Sonia said that around 45000 acres of land in Gujarat had been given to one businessman at a cheap rate and under this model several people in the villages are still not getting potable water.

Accusing BJP of adopting an ideology in which common man will be identified not by his capabilities and skills but by his religion, language and caste, she said, the saffron party's ideology is of "hatred, narrow mindedness and consistent hunger to achieve power" at the centre.

"Their (BJP) ideology wants to take the country on that path where nation's entire power wrests with one person," she said in an indirect reference to Narendra Modi.

"They will take the country to a situation where the poor, weak and farmers will beg for their rights," she said.

However, in contrast the ideology of Congress is development of farmers, poor, weak and every citizen of the country, she said adding that Congress is for peace and communal harmony.

Launching a scathing attack on Akali-BJP government, Gandhi charged ruling regime in Punjab with involvement in illegal activities like drug smuggling.

"BJP Akalis are filling their pockets. They are now indulging in every illegal work like drug smuggling, sand mining, goond tax," she said while campaigning for Congress candidate Vijay Inder Singla from Sangrur seat.

Accusing the ruling regime in Punjab of failing in curbing growing drug menace in the state, she said, "youths in Punjab have become addicted to drugs. Your government is not concerned about it at all."

Combative Gandhi also chastised Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for not taking adequate steps to contain this menace.

"Yeh Badal sahib Garajna jaante hain barasna nahin jante (Badal knows how to talk loud but does not deliver)," she said adding, "They (SAD-BJP) forget everything after securing power".

Congress President also accused ruling party of its misrule, which led the state on the verge of facing bankruptcy.

"Punjab has now turned bankrupt under Akali-BJP regime.

This government cannot pay salary for three months. Old age persons are not getting pensions," she alleged.

Congress led UPA government implemented sixth pay commission and even constituted seventh pay commission for government employees, while listing out Centre's achievements.

Gandhi also described SAD-BJP regime having completely failed in initiating welfare programmes for Dalits in the state.

"In Punjab, Akali BJP has not filled even reserved posts for Dalits. A little amount has been earmarked in Punjab's plan budget for Dalits welfare and even that could not be spent," she said.

"Now, you can imagine, how much BJP Akali regime is serious about Dalit welfare," she said.