BJP thinks Indians are ignorant of Congress's work: Sonia Gandhi

Congress president Sonia Gandhi Monday came down heavily on BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, saying his party thinks people do not know about the Congress's contribution towards the Green Revolution, healthcare and infrastructure development in India.

Addressing a rally here, over 80 km from state capital Jaipur, Gandhi said: "Modi claims he will turn the country into a heaven once he comes to power. What magic wand he has got, I don't know."

Paota is part of Jaipur rural constituency from where Congress leader C.P. Joshi is contesting against Olympic silver-medallist shooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

"There is a big difference between running a state and running a country," she said, referring to Modi's claims about the development of Gujarat.

"The BJP is saying the Congress did nothing after independence. Most probably, they think you are ignorant and you do not understand the truth," she told the people.

"All the world knows the country has developed a lot. The average life expectancy at the time of independence (in 1947) was 32 years, now it's 70 years. Similarly, foodgrain production which was only five crore tonnes has now touched 25 crore tonnes. Has it happened on its own," Gandhi asked.

"Our road network has increased and so has power production," she said.

Recalling that it was due to late prime minister Indira Gandhi's efforts towards the Green Revolution that India has seen growth in food production.

State Congress president Sachin Pilot also spoke on the occasion.

Voting in Rajasthan will take place in two phases on April 17 and 24.