Congress promises a new age Gujarat in its poll manifesto

The Congress party on Sunday released its manifesto for the upcoming assembly elections in Gujarat, promising to make the state more secure and developed if voted to power.

Ahmedabad, Dec 2 : The Congress party on Sunday released its manifesto for the upcoming assembly elections in Gujarat, promising to make the state more secure and developed if voted to power.

Releasing the manifesto here, party General Secretary Digvijay Singh, in the presence of state Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki, came down heavily on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state for allegedly ignoring the common man.

Accusing the Narendra Modi government of not giving proper attention to agriculture, Singh said that if the Congress comes to power, the party would give top priority to the farming sector and would make a 'new age Gujarat'.

Asserting that action would be taken against those involved in the 2002 communal violence, if the Congress forms the government, Singh said: "None will be spared, Modi or anyone else."

He went on to say that poor people were exploited at that time to commit acts of arson and killings, after which they were left to face the consequences.

The manifesto promises to focus on law and order, irrigation, dairy, poultry, fisheries, education and sports, and women's welfare.

It also promises to create a fund for restarting closed industrial units and setting up a board for development of the diamond industry, adding that the work of canal network for supply of the Narmada water from the main canal to help farmers in parched areas of Saurashtra and Kutch, would be completed.

Over 36 million voters will elect the 182-member assembly in Gujarat, as the term of the state's legislative assembly is due to expire on December 26, 2007.

The first phase of polling is scheduled on December 11, whereas the second and the final phase will take place on December 16. Counting of votes will take place on December 23.

The BJP managed to win 127 seats, while the Congress party was able to win only 51 seats in the 2002 Gujarat Assembly polls. The Janata Dal (United) and independents won two seats each.

ANI