Sonia Gandhi says Narendra Modi govt living off UPA funds

Lashing out at Narendra Modi, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday charged that Central funds were misused by the Gujarat government to harp on false development claims and "fake image building".

Without taking Modi's name, Sonia, while addressing a poll rally in Kalol town of Gandhinagar district, said, "Our UPA government for agriculture development, water harvesting...and for other such type of schemes has made large funds available to them...which is the right of Gujarat also".

"But, those funds are misutilised here to trumpet false claims of development and for your fake image building," Gandhi said targeting Modi.

She said UPA government provided 50 per cent more funds to Gujarat than the BJP-led NDA government.

"To benefit some special people and businessmen, all these schemes were used for them. Common man is not getting any benefit," the Congress leader alleged.

"The government every year gives 3,128 MW of electricity to Gujarat. It is selling 800 MW to earn profits. This is injustice to people who are waiting for electricity connections," Gandhi said.

She also alleged that the issue of Sir Creek was being raised for "political interest" and asserted that her government will not allow anyone to play with the unity of nation at any cost.

"On the occasion of elections, they are again showing big dreams to you, again they are trying to bamboozle you...Recently, for their political interest they have found a new tool," Gandhi said.

Sonia was responding to charge of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Sir Creek.

Modi had alleged in his letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh two days ago that a decision of handing over Sir Creek was likely to be taken by the Centre soon, and he as a common man was concerned about its security ramifications.

The PMO had strongly rebutted the charge by saying the allegations were "baseless" and "mischievous".

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