Gujarat polls: Modi attacks Congress over rise in fertiliser prices

Seeking his third straight win, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, attacked Congress-led UPA-II government for ‘not finding time’ to ensure availability of fertilisers to farmers even as they were busy selling the FDI policy in Parliament.

Addressing rallies in Dakor, Sayla, Bhachau, Bhu and Rajkot he accused the UPA government of showing more concern about foreign supermarkets than development.

"I am surprised to know that FDI issue has reached Parliament, which makes way for MNCs to spread business in India...but the Delhi government has no time to discuss how fertiliser can reach farmers," Modi.

Modi has been accusing Centre of ‘having failed’ to boost the country's fertiliser production, resulting in up to 300% price rise of this essential commodity for farmers. "There is a serious charge against the Delhi Sultanate...They have failed in taking any steps to increase national fertiliser production in last eight years," Modi said.

Addressing an election rally in Dakor, Modi said: "I was quite surprised to know that the issue of foreign direct investment (FDI) is being debated in the parliament but the government is not ready to discuss about the steps to increase the production of essential commodities."

"The government is not concerned about the development of industries but it is more concerned about the foreign supermarkets. They are least bothered about the loss that will be incurred by our retailers by allowing foreign direct investment in the retail sector," said Modi.