Rajkot, Dec 7 (PTI) Former prime minister Manmohan Singhtoday said the people of Gujarat have seen though the "lies"propagated by the BJP during its 22-year-rule in the state,and took a dig at the ruling party over the 'Gujarat model' ofdevelopment, saying it only benefited the top one per cent ofthe society.
He also said the "achhe din" promise made by the BJP was"nowhere to be seen".
"Twentytwo years is a long time, and now the results arethere for all of us to see. The Gujarat model of the BJP hasonly benefited the top one per cent of the society," he toldreporters here.
Singh claimed Gujaratis have seen through the lies andthe BJP's Gujarat model was being openly challenged on thestreets of the state.
"Every community and class, except a few richbusinessmen, are raising their voice against the inequalityand injustice of the Gujarat model as operationalised by theBJP over the last 22 years," he said.
He said that in many critical areas of human development,Gujarat has "regressed in the last 22 years".
"On every social indicator, it has fallen behind statesincluding Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu,"he said, noting that if the Congress formed the government inGujarat, it would change this.
"The Congress party has a vision for the people ofGujarat," he said.
Singh also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi overdemonetisation and GST rollout, saying, "Modiji has betrayedthe trust that the people of Gujarat had reposed in him."The Congress leader also demanded that the Centreshould release relevant documents and files relating to noteban.
"We must demand that the government release all therelevant documents and files related to demonetisation in thepublic domain and Parliament for security. We must avoid therepetition of such blunders in the future. India cannot affordsuch mistakes," he said.
He said note ban and GST have damaged the economy andcaused a loss to the GDP, even as China benefited with 23 percent year-on-year increase in India's import from China in FY2017-18.
On the Ayodhya issue, Singh refused to comment sayingthat it would be inappropriate for him to discuss the matteras it was sub-judice.
"The issue is in the Supreme Court and I feel that it isnot appropriate to discuss it. We (Congress) will acceptwhatever verdict the court pronounces on the matter," he said.
He also welcomed Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi'snomination for the top party post and expressed confidence inhim saying that he would take the Congress to newer heights.
The Congress veteran also slammed the Modi governmentfor "not taking any action to curb corruption".
"It should take action, just like the Congress-led UPAgovernment had taken," he said.
On the Centre's Jammu and Kashmir policy, Singh said thathe was not aware if the government has achieved anything onthe issue. PTI VJA KA PD NPSC.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.