Hitting back at Gujarat CM Narendra Modi, PM Manmohan Singh accused the state government of bias over protecting its citizens and said "people are being killed without any reason".
SURAT: Hitting back at Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday accused the state government of bias over protecting its citizens and said "people are being killed without any reason".
"I do not have much to say about the law and order situation here," he told a well-attended Congress rally here. "If you are with the government machinery, you are safe; and if you are not with the government, then god help you.
"Is the Indian constitution not equal for everyone? Nobody in Gujarat can say that the government is providing security to everyone on the basis of equality," the prime minister said, speaking softly but confidently.
He went on: "You are engrossed in the talk of fight against terrorism. People are being killed without any reason. Is there no legal way? Do we want to do away with the legal rights in this country?
"Was this able to stop the happenings at Raghunath temple in Jammu, Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar or the Kargil incident?
"In my opinion a fear psychosis is being created. If we think of development and future, Gujarat can become more prosperous."
It was Manmohan Singh's first campaign rally in Gujarat, which goes to the polls Dec 11 and 16. The Congress is desperate to unseat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
His comments came amid a row triggered by Modi's virtual defence of the allegedly staged killing by the police of Sohrabuddin Sheikh after being dubbed a terrorist.
Manmohan Singh, however, did not refer to Sheikh by name, saying the mater was "sub judice".
But he said - in a clear reference to Modi - that it was unfortunate if someone has commented on the case in a manner that could lead to "distraction from the well-entrenched democracy".
On BJP's rule of Gujarat, the prime minister said: "Do you think your life is better? Is every citizen of Gujarat - be it women, girls, minorities, tribals, Scheduled Caste - able to lead daily lives without fear? Are you happy with the governance?"
He accused the BJP of taking credit for development schemes introduced by the Congress-led central government.
"I want to tell you that the conditions in Gujarat are not as good as it is being projected. Your government excels in making big promises, bringing out big advertisements, showing you dreams through radio and television. Development does not come about through promises and publicity, it is always visible."
Manmohan Singh insisted that the foundations of industrial development in Gujarat were laid in the 1960s when the Congress ruled the state. And to rub it in, he added that Gujarat was developing not because of the state government but because of the enterprising spirit of Gujaratis.
He said the present indicators of growth and development showed that Gujarat was not performing to its optimum capacity.
The prime minister pointed out that the central government had come to the rescue of the people of south Gujarat, Surat city included, during the floods in 2006.
Later, speaking to reporters, Manmohan Singh said - in a clear dig at Modi - that it was time Gujarat returned to the "mainstream of Indian polity".
"India is respected as a one billion strong country where democracy is thriving. Gujarat should return to the mainstream of Indian polity that draws its strength from democracy, secularism and multiple religions and ethnicity.
"It cannot happen that the country moves forward and Gujarat moves in another direction. The clash is about looking at India in two ways and how it will move forward."
Asked if the Congress would make fresh efforts to investigate the 2002 communal killings, Manmohan Singh said that all the cases related to the violence were at various states of investigation.
"Every effort will be made to restore public confidence in the rule of law. All people have (to have) a feeling that the government belongs to them and everyone has equal rights and liberties."
He also denied Modi's allegations that the central government "has in any way discriminated against Gujarat".
Manmohan Singh described Modi's outlook as a "sign of weakness" and said no political party should divide the people.
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