Ahmedabad, Dec 8 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Narhari Amin on Saturday countered the allegations made by Sonia Gandhi, and said that the people of Gujarat would give a befitting reply to the Congress President on December 20.
"Sonia has read out the speech written by leaders from Gujarat. Six crore people will give a befitting reply to Sonia on December 20. The BJP will garner more seats than 2007 and it will secure a thumping victory," he said.
Amin, who is an influential Patel community leader with a sizable fan following, joined the BJP with his supporters in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
The former deputy chief minister was upset for not being given nomination for the coming Gujarat assembly polls.
Amin, who was seen sharing the stage in all important events of Congress with the state top leaders in the last one year since the party started campaigning for the 2012 elections, was welcomed into the BJP by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who described the move as a step towards strengthening democracy.
Meanwhile, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Minister Ajay Maken countered the claims made by Modi, and alleged that the Gujarat Government had not used the funds allocated to it by the Centre.
Maken lashed at Modi for not spending the funds allocated to Gujarat by the Centre.
"They have not been able to spend the fund that has been sanctioned by the federal government. They had promised to build 1,50,000 houses in 2002. In 2012 they have promised to construct 50,00,000 houses, despite building only 55,000 houses. They have promised not only 10 times, but 100 times more. If they are not playing with the sentiments of poor people, then what are they doing?" he asked.
Maken also claimed that the Gujarat Government had not submitted a plan for rehabilitation of slum dwellers for the last two and half years.
"Now, 2012 is ending, nearly two and half years have lapsed. The government of Narendra Modi has promised to build 50,00,000 houses whereas they have not been able to devise a plan for rehabilitation of slum dwellers. The building of houses is a far fetched proposition," he added.
Modi, who is looking at a third consecutive term at the helm in Gujarat, had earlier alleged that the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre had neglected the state.
Gujarat will go to the polls in two phases on December 13 and 17. The counting of votes will take place on December 20. (ANI)
