Sonia Gandhi spreading lies against Guj govt: Modi

Countering Sonia Gandhi's charges that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's promises were "hollow and false", Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Friday attacked the Congress president saying she was "spreading lies" against his government.

"It is shameful how Sonia Gandhi is spreading lies on issues about which Congress has lost right to speak," Modi told a poll rally in Jamnagar.

"Mrs Gandhi says Gujarat roads are bad. Is that believable? She says Gujarat farmers are ruined. Is that how Gujarat sees 11 per cent growth in agriculture?" Modi said.

Earlier in the day, while addressing poll rallies in Mandvi in South Gujarat and Keshod in Saurashtra, the UPA chairperson had criticised BJP's development claims in Gujarat terming them as "hollow and false".

Treading cautiously, Sonia highlighted "failures" of the state on a range of fronts including law and order, welfare of farmers and tribals, amongst others, without naming the Gujarat chief minister.

"Women do not find it safe going outside after 6:30 pm in Delhi....But Madam Sonia ji says situation of law and order is not good in Gujarat...She has no right to speak on law and order," Modi said reacting to Sonia's comment.

The chief minister addressed public rallies in Falla, Jamnagar and Ahmedabad.

Giving an example of the girl, who had been arrested from Palghar in Maharashtra for her comments on Facebook about late Bal Thackeray, Modi said, "She prefers to stay in Gujarat over Maharashtra."

The girl and her family have shifted to Gujarat.

"Think seven times before spreading canards on Gujarat," Modi said.

On the farmers issue, Modi said, "You say farmers are ruined in Gujarat. I want to ask you (Congress)...our hard working farmers grow cotton. From 23 lakh bales in 2001, the production has risen to 1.23 lakh crore bales in the last 10 years."

"But UPA stabbed them in the back by banning exports, when its price was highest globally causing a loss of Rs 7,000 crore to the cotton farmers of Gujarat," Modi alleged.

"In the name of farmers, they (Congress) are misleading people and seeking votes. This is election time, you are going to the court of the people, at least speak the truth," Modi said.

Refuting the Congress president's allegations against his government, Modi said, "Madam Sonia Gandhi ji said Gujarat's roads are not good as compared to the nation."

"Do you believe this?," Modi asked people saying "the first thing people from all over the world tell me is that the roads of Gujarat are wonderful."

"Everyone knows how Gujarat's roads are. Sonia behen has not stepped on the roads and is talking about them," he said.

Modi pointed out that although the Centre has Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Gujarat does not get any money under the scheme.

"The reason they give (for not releasing funds) from Delhi is that the roads in Gujarat are already very good," Modi said.

How come on one side of government under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is saying one thing and Sonia Gandhi is saying another in Gujarat, he asked.