Modi hijacked Cong party's development initiatives: Congress candidate

Jamnagar, Gujarat, Nov 27: Congress candidate from Jamnagar City assembly segment Ashok Lal says he is "not fighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi" but is essentially against his government's policies like note ban and GST1 Though uttered softly, Mr Lal's words seem to carry a surprising force and is empowered by a sharp knowledge1 Mr Lal, who has contested on BJP ticket from Dwarka in 2002, says, "Mr Modi only did some renovation to development works whose foundation was laid by Congress, but he got all the credit in the ultimate analysis" Asked whether Prime Minister actually 'hijacked' the developmental initiatives of erstwhile Congress regimes - in 1960s and 1970s, Mr Lal told UNI, "I would like to answer the other way1 Already Gujarat was a  developed state1 Even in 1975 Gujarat roads were better than rest of India1 So under Modi as Chief Minister, it was only being renovated. So after renovating, they consider it as development"1 To another question, Mr Lal asked point blank, "Who laid down the foundation of Narmada project? Who made all railway stations in Gujarat and other parts of the country? Who made all dams?"1 He further said,"Basically the ground work was laid down by the Congress1 Look, today also, when we talk about the development of Gujarat, it's a fact the Gujarati people are already  developed. They are financially capable. They are very calm people1 They are business people, they were educated and hence development came faster than other states"1 Mr Lal said though he is fighting on Congress ticket, he does not buy the line that he is "fighting a Gujarati Prime Minister"1 "It's not personal thing1 It is only the  programmes and policies of the Modi government that I am fighting"1 What really dragged him to contest on a Congress ticket as he fought in 2002 as BJP nominee and since then almost gave up politics? His reply was sharp and pointed1 "There are certain policies of the Modi government which do not suit the people both in Gujarat and also in rest of India1 Because of note ban, people have suffered1 But before they could come out of that mess like situation, there was a shock. Immediately, GST came. We also saw there is no adequate crop insurance1 Plus business scenario is bad1 There is inflation and therefore I feel Congress will be a better party in this situation"1 To a question, he also lauded "inclusive policies" of Congress and said, "it is a party which takes everyone together"1"The Congress party is nowhere against Hindus....They consider all communities as Indian residents," he said and denied that the principal opposition party has tried to play 'soft Hindutva' on the eve of Gujarat polls with actions like Rahul Gandhi visiting temples1 "These visits (by Rahul Gandhi to temples) were hundred percent genuine," he remarked1 He said, people of Gujarat have made up their mind and they want 'change' this time1  UNI