Fear in Gujarat dangerous for country: PM
NDTV Correspondent
Friday, December 07, 2007, (Surat)
If you are with the government you are safe, but if you are against it, then God help you.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh talked about fear in Gujarat and minced no words as he took on Chief Minister Narendra Modi in his own turf.
Singh, who is campaigning for his Congress party in Gujarat today, said the atmosphere of fear in the state is dangerous for the entire country.
He said a fear psychosis is being generated in Gujarat, which is disastrous not just for Gujarat, but for the entire nation.
And in the land of Mahatma, those who believe in violence want to come back to power.
"We want to change the face of Gujarat villages, make them models for developments. Sardar Sarovar Project has been completed with the help of the Central government," said Manmhohan Singh addressing a rally in Surat.
"On the education front, Gujarat is still lagging behind. One-third of the people are still uneducated, apart from villages, even urban centres need to develop," he added.
Comment on Sohrabuddin unfortunate: PM
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said it was unfortunate that some people have commented on the Sohrabuddin fake encounter case without realising that it could affect the matter pending before the court.
Asked by reporters about the controversy generated by Chief Minister Narendra Modi's statement justifying the killing of Sohrabuddin in a fake police encounter in 2005, Singh said it was not proper for him to comment on it because the matter was sub-judice.
The Prime Minister was speaking to reporters after addressing an election rally in Surat.
"Today there is a clash between two thoughts. Gujarat should return to mainstream polity. I now see the winds of change blowing here (in Gujarat). The Congress will return to power with a thumping majority," he said.