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'Even God will not forgive Gujarat government'
Senior Congress leader Shankersinh Vaghela on Saturday began his counter-fast against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's three-day fast in Ahmedabad.
Vaghela began his fast to protest the BJP-led Gujarat government's policies and approach towards the common man.
In the exclusive interview with Rediff.com's Krishna Shah, he takes on the Modi-led government in the state.
It is claimed that Narendra Modi's Sadbhavna Mission is aimed at peace, harmony and brotherhood. What is your reaction to this?
We are here to show the other side of the coin. The BJP has said, "Hatred does not end by hatred."
Their words are hypocritical. The BJP wants to show the world their fake commitment through this five-star anshan (fast) drama.
We, on the other hand, are holding a fast at the footpath opposite Gandhi ashram as we want to show our commitment towards the aam aadmi (common man). We want to make the people aware about the corrupt state government.
Increase in violence against women, cow slaughter and increase in female feticide cases comprise the track record of the Gujarat government. We want people to be aware of this.
There is no sadbhavna at all in the Gujarat government's agenda. The state government has only durbhavna (negative thoughts) and lies in its kitty. This government will not be forgiven by people and even by God.
'BJP is a corrupt party'
BJP leader L K Advani claimed that the Modi government is corruption free. Your comments on that.
Then why are they opposing the appointment of a Lokayukta? If they are not corrupt and their people are not corrupt, then they should welcome the Lokayukta. The fact is that they are liars. The BJP is a corrupt party.
If they are clean, why did they ask for the resignations of the Karnataka CM and the Uttarakhand CM? They should be ashamed as a number of BJP MPs have been caught while taking bribes.
Advani has supported the state government's claim of achieving a phenomenal growth rate.
Business runs in the veins of Gujaratis. Growth and development is their basic nature and traditional attribute. Irrelevant of any political party and any CM, enterprise and development is in their blood.
What is the role of the government in the state's development? The state government does not even provide enough electricity and water at reasonable prices to the farmers.
In the name of development, they are fooling the people. A newborn child in Gujarat has a debt of one lakh thirty thousand crore. There is no control on the law and order situation and the crime rate is very high.
'I wish Modi all happiness and delight'
It is a natural development. They have not stolen anyone's property or wealth. If one has purchased two acres of land at low prices a few years ago and now land prices are high, it does not mean that the person has done something erroneous.
What is your massage to Narendra Modi on his 61st birthday?
I wish him many happy returns of the day. I wish him all happiness and delight. If he can leave hypocrisy behind and create a corruption-free state, he can definitely get support from all fronts and establish harmony and brotherhood as well.