Congress releases Gujarat poll manifesto

AHMEDABAD: AICC General secretary Kamal Nath said on Thursday the main election plank of the Congress for the December 12 Gujarat Assembly polls would be peace, communal harmony, development and prosperity for the people of the state.
Releasing the party manifesto at a press conference here, Kamal Nath expressed hope that the people of Gujarat would elect a Congress government, which would work for the overall development of the state and people.
In presence of all GPCC functionaries, he said the people have already voted the Congress to power in 15 other states in the country as the party has proved its "able governance".
The Congress leader appealed to the people to protect their rights and look through the "real" face of BJP.
"The BJP in the state wants to mislead the people and cover up its performance. They must account for their deeds for the past four and half years of rule," he said.
Calling BJP''s governance "stunt politics" and alleging that they have shattered the economy and faith of the people of Gujarat, Kamal Nath said Congress has always had a vision for economic progress of the state and has brotherhood in its roots.
Detailing the party manifesto, Kamal Nath said the party promises better water resources management in all drought prone areas, power and water for agriculture sector, five lakh jobs for the "potentially" unemployed, security in the banking sector and stern action against "whoever is found guilty in the bank scams that affected over 70,000 depositors from the state".
Congress would also set up special sqauds or courts to inquire into economic scams and quake debry removal, he said.
Stating that the suffering of the people of all communities should end and people should resume a normal life, he said, "Nothing is more important than a government which would maintain the peace, ensure law and order and take Gujarat back to the path of boundless progress".
In reply to a question on making Godhra an election issue for his party, Kamal Nath said, "We are talking about the future, peace and communal harmony and protecting the rights of people".
To another query, he said corruption in all areas would be looked into.
"People are fully aware of misdeeds of BJP in last seven years and we have to draw attention of the people and expose the ruling party," the Congress leader said.
On the question of cooperative banks scams which affected the middle class and traders in the state, he said, "The Congress, if voted to power, will definitely order an inquiry into the scams and ensure punishment to guilty".