PM blames Darbha attack on ‘political differences’

Blaming the BJP government for failing to tackle Naxalism,he said: “The Naxal attack of Jeeram Ghati also shows the extent to which the law and order situation has deteriorated during the tenure of Chhattisgarh’s BJP government. To ensure safety of people is the primary responsibility of any government,but the BJP government has completely failed to meet this responsibility. Many areas of the state are under the control of Naxals,and the government writ is absent in these areas. Therefore,development work is almost negligible in these areas.”

Addressing party workers here,the Prime Minister said,“People feel insecure in Naxal areas and development has come to a complete halt. The Centre is providing huge funds to fight Naxalism and bring about development in Naxal areas,but its benefit is not reaching people.

Targeting the BJP on its recent attacks against the Congress,he said,“We will certainly criticise the opposition parties and their policies,but we should not to lose our patience and use words against opposition leaders that are offensive and against the rules of our party. On this issue,we are especially different from the BJP,whose leaders are using foul language against our leaders and chief ministers.”

Stating that “the greed for power must not provoke a party to indulge in cheap politics,” the Prime Minister said,“BJP leaders,in their over excitement,even change the history and geography of the country”.

Claiming credit for some of the welfare programmes of the Chhattisgarh government,he said: “The PDS system of Chhattisgarh is often praised,but it is not told where the funds come from. Ninety per cent of the funds come from the Congress government at the Centre.”

Questioning Chhattisgarh’s growth story,he noted that that the state’s literacy rate and per capita income are far below the national average,and infant mortality rate and maternal mortality rate are above the national average. Stating that the central government initiated 24 new projects in Chhattisgarh,he said the state government has not been able to utilise funds provided by the Centre.

“During BJP’s rule (at the Centre),the country’s economy grew at the rate of 5.4 per cent. During UPA’s nine years,it grew at the rate of nearly 8 per cent. During BJP’s rule,per capita income grew by 3.7 per cent,during UPA’s rule it was 6.5 per cent,” he said,adding that the rate of poverty decline during his tenure was more than thrice compared to previous years.

Meanwhile,Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj described the Prime Minister’s speech as “jhuthon ka pulinda” (a bag full of lies). Speaking to mediapersons in Raipur,she said: “When a PM says we gave the money,it reflects arrogance that attacks our federal structure.”