Taking a dig at Congress,Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today said the mainOpposition party will take the state to the 18th century if itis voted to power.
The BJP stalwart claimed Gujarat Congress leaders weremaking remarks which were at variance with the IndependenceDay address made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
While the Prime Minister spoke about the need toattract foreign investments and develop infrastructure, theCongress leaders say Gujarat does not need roads, industriesor educational institutions, he said at a gathering here.
"The Prime Minister, in his address, said there is aneed to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and alsofocus on industrialisation for employment generation in thecountry. He spoke about the need to strengthen infrastructure,but state Congress leaders say just the opposite of it.
"The state Congress leaders were seen on TV sayingthey don't need roads, industries, educational institutions,hospitals, universities, and that just half a chapati wouldsuffice for them," Modi said, implying the party leaders werecriticising the BJP Government's policies aimed at attractingFDI and setting up industries.
As the crowd burst into laughter, Modi said "Congressaims to take you back to the 18th Century. Would you like togo to the 18th Century rule?"
Assembly election is due in December in Gujarat.
Modi was speaking at the inaugural function of a riverfront development project along the banks of Sabarmati.
Attacking the UPA Government, he said it was theCentre's responsibility to provide affordable living to peoplein this era of rising prices.
"They had claimed to contain price rise within 100days of coming to power, but have been unable to do so. Thepoor of the country are asking the Centre - what happened toyour promise of checking price rise within 100 days?"