Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday for not releasing its manifesto for Gujarat just two days before the state goes to the polls.
The BJP has shown “unbelievable disrespect” to the people of Gujarat, Gandhi said on Twitter. “Campaigning is over and STILL no mention of a manifesto for the people, no vision and no ideas presented for Gujarat’s future.”
On Saturday, 89 Assembly constituencies will vote in the first phase of the elections. The elections to the remaining 93 will be held on December 14.
The Congress party’s chief spokesperson, Randeep Singh Surjewala, also hit out at the BJP: “Using ‘jumla’ (rhetoric) is only their manifesto.”
Congress leader Ahmed Patel listed three reasons for the BJP not releasing its manifesto. “This is because – 1. Vikas was never their agenda, 2. They don’t want to answer questions about 2012 promises, 3. They have realised that their defeat is certain,” Patel said on Twitter.
The Congress released its manifesto on Tuesday, promising a quota for Patidars among other things.
The BJP’s Manifesto Committee Chairperson Jaynarayan Vyas said the document was ready, but the party’s Gujarat unit spokesperson Bharat Pandya said the manifesto committee members were “meeting regularly to fine-tune major aspects”, The Indian Express reported. “When state leaders complete the details, it will be out immediately,” Pandya said.
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