The Congress on Monday questioned BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s statement on lack of development in Jharkhand and reminded him that in the 13 years of its formation the State has been ruled by his party for nine years.
Congress spokesperson Sandeep Dikshit quipped that after forgetting his history lessons, Mr. Modi has now also begun losing track of recent developments.
“As for the Congress, we have only been part of the State Government there for the last two-three months.”
Earlier, AICC general secretary Shakeel Ahmed had also quipped that Mr. Modi should do his homework before speaking on important issues. “He just says anything and then everyone makes fun of him. For a prime ministerial candidate, he should be more serious,” he remarked.
On the similar averment by Mr. Modi about lack of development in Chhattisgarh, Congress spokesperson Sandeep Dikshit said “our party had laid the foundation of growth there when the State was formed in 2002-03.”
As for the Gujarat Chief Minister’s blog in which he expressed remorse over the 2002 riots, Mr. Dikshit said as Law Minister Kapil Sibal had pointed out the sorrow has been expressed too late. “Moreover, as far as I remember, in many interviews over the years, Mr. Modi had not expressed any kind of regret over the riots. In fact he always adopted a hard stance ahead of every Assembly election. His statement coming now thus could well be part of a political design.”
Asked about BJP leader Arun Jaitley’s allegations about Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh’s family members holding shares in a power company, Mr. Dikshit said in the past too many charges have been levelled against Mr. Singh but none of them have been proved. “Let Mr. Jaitley put it out in public domain and let him take the evidence to court or before the Prime Minister.”
