Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday took a dig at the Opposition Congress party saying that first time in the history, a political party is taking anti-development approach to contest an election.
Jaitley was talking in context to the Congress party’s ‘Vikas’ jibe at the ruling BJP. The Finance Minister reiterated that BJP would stick to development agenda and even in the next five years, it would glue to the same agenda, he said adding that this is the biggest difference of approach between the two rival political parties.
“Congress is trying to create social divide in the society for political gain. This is not first such attempt of the party. In 80s the Congress tried to divide the society, but people of Gujarat rejected the ploy. From the beginning Gujarat remained a progressive State and hence such negativity never sustained,’’ he said at BJP’s media centre in Ahmedabad while interacting with reporters.
While BJP has become synonymous for unity, social harmony and development, the Congress party has associated with those elements who have resorted to anarchy, said the Minister adding that, the people of Gujarat will refute such poll tactics.
He claimed that GST impact was very positive on Gujarat elections post rationalization of tax. The Congress couldn’t rationalise taxes in the past five to six decades, but BJP-led NDA Government did under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he added. He indicated that the BJP’s manifesto for the upcoming assembly polls would be released in next 2-3 days.
In context to demonetisation, he said that post demonetisation the saffron party won many elections including that of Uttar Pradesh polls with thumping majority and even in Gujarat there would be positive effect of it.
Speaking on reservation issue raised by Patidars in the State, he said that the apex court’s decision on reservation was clear and in order to go beyond 50 per cent limit wouldn’t be possible. If a person or political party gave promise to go beyond the limit, he would be cheating the
people, he said.