UPA govt sanctioned more funds to Guj than NDA: Sonia

Rebutting Chief Minister Narendra Modi's claims on development in the state and Sir Creek issue, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said in Kalol on Friday that the Gujarat government is making false promises to electorates.

Modi on Wednesday had asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to stop dialogue with Pakistan at once on the Sir Creek issue, and demanded that it should not be handed over to the neighbouring nation.

Complete Coverage | Rediff forecast

Sonia claimed that Gujarat has progressed due to the Congress rule, and added that the central government is committed to national security.

Criticising the Modi government for not utilising the central funds, Sonia said, "Congress-led UPA sanctioned more funds to Gujarat than BJP-led NDA government."

Sonia will also be addressing another rally in Mehsana. She is also expected to address a media briefing in Ahmedabad.

During her whirlwind tour of the state earlier, Sonia had sharpened her attack on Modi who is seeking a third consecutive term in office.

She had accused Modi and his BJP-led government of failing to meet the aspirations of the people of the state.

"They (Modi and BJP) have no interest in poor and common people but its only interest is development of its own and a select few people. The development which was promised in a big way is nowhere to be seen in this tribal land...because what they promised were hollow and false," Sonia said.

A huge voter turnout was recorded on Thursday in the first phase of elections.

Over 68 percent voters exercised their franchise during the polling for 87 seats of the 182 member assembly.

The constituencies where polling was held include 48 in seven districts of Saurashtra, 35 seats in seven districts of south Gujarat and four seats in Ahmedabad district.

The second phase will be held on December 17 while the counting of votes will be taken up on December 20.

Thursday's voter turnout is the highest in the elections held so far in Gujarat. The highest polling recorded earlier was 63.70 per in 1967 elections. In 2007, the voter turnout was 59.77 per cent.