Under BJP rule, GDP slips from 16% to 6.7%: Jyotiraditya Scindia

Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia slammed BJP government in the state on the claims of development on Thursday. Scindia said the state GDP rate had dropped from 16 per cent to just 6.7 per cent in the last 22 years of BJP rule. "When Congress was in the power, under Madhavsinh Solanki's rule, Gujarat had achieved 16 per cent GDP and during Chimanbhai Patel's rule it was 14 per cent. This has reduced to just 6.7 per cent under BJP's rule. Is this development?" Scindia asked.

He further said, "BJP has created an environment of intolerance in country and state. In last one year, 472 cases of rape have been reported in Gujarat. If we come to power, we will ensure fast track courts, 24/7 helpline for women and more women constables."

Taking a jibe at the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, "Whenever PM is on foreign tour, he tweets about that, but he has never tweeted about farmer's suicides. Praja trast, PM mast. On an average, 12,000 to 15,000 farmers have committed suicide in BJP's rule, but on this matter, PM remains silent."

He also accused the PM of having double standards on the matter Dalits. "Dalits are facing atrocities in Gujarat. On one hand they are inaugurating home of Babasaheb Ambedkar in London where he stayed, but they remain silent when atrocities against Dalits happen. Una violence was national shame," he said.

Scindia is on a two- day tour of Gujarat, campaigning for the Congress in the upcoming state assembly polls, scheduled in December.