CM Fadnavis challenges Congress to debate on development

Mumbai: Echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent challenge to the Congress over developmental issues, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked Congress and NCP leaders to debate the work carried out during his four-year tenure compared to their 15-year one.

Mr Fadnavis made this statement in Mumbai while addressing the state BJP’s extended working committee meeting. He also said that his party was not afraid of the proposed grand alliance in the state and that the people would vote the BJP back to power. Meanwhile, Congress and NCP called the challenge “a hollow attempt to boost the morale of his cadre ahead of certain defeat in the elections”.

Mr Fadnavis made the concluding remarks of the two-day state executive of the party. In the speech, he detailed work done in the last four years. “Our achievements are noticeable and anytime better than the Congress and NCP. I challenge them to come on a platform for the debate,” said Mr Fadnavis.

Reading out the party’s achievements Mr Fadnavis said, “Our government has built 30,000km of roads. They are of better quality than earlier ones. The World Bank has certified them. We have also decided to spend on land acquisition of all irrigation projects. We have spent Rs 30,000 crore on irrigation and have sought a similar amount from the Union government.”

He further claimed, “The state was at the 18th position in education. We have brought it to the third position. We have saved Rs 3,000 crore because of the fee regulatory authority setup. We have also increased the budget for self-help groups of women from minorities. This increase is 4,000 per cent more than earlier one.”

Mr Fadnavis also emphasised the work his government has done in the agriculture sector. “Our government has given Rs 16,000 crore as financial assistance to the farmers. This is in just four years. The Congress and NCP government had given Rs 7,000 crore in fifteen years. Food grain purchase during previous government’s tenure was Rs 450 crore while our government has purchased grain worth Rs 8,200 crore,” said Mr Fadnavis.

Reacting on the speech, Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said, “Our party is consistently exposing the fake claims of Mr Fadnavis on the floor of the House. His giving clean chits to his Cabinet colleagues despite serious allegations against them are also well known.”

NCP chief spokesperson Nawab Malik said Mr Fadnavis should have counted the number of morchas against the government in the last four years “despite this fudged data”. “Farmer strikes used to happen during British rule. Since then, it has happened during Mr Fadnavis’ regime. This shows where exactly his government stands.”