Congress is clear about Rahul Gandhi's capability for PM post: Sushil Kumar Shinde

VADODARA: Congress is clear about the capability of Rahul Gandhi for the post of the Prime Minister but BJP is still undecided over its candidate, Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde has said.

"Congress is clear on the suitability and capability of party general secretary Rahul Gandhi for the post of Prime Minister. Senior and young party leaders have been projecting him for this post," Shinde had said yesterday.

"However, BJP is undecided about its prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 General elections. BJP keeps on talking about L K Advani, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, Rajnath Singh and Narendra Modi for the post," he said.

He was addressing a public meeting in Tulsidham crossing area in Manjalpur under the newly-created Manjalpur Assembly constituency here.

Attacking Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Shinde alleged that the Gujarat government was not supplying power to farmers but "selling it" which was being allocated to the state from central power sector projects.

He alleged that Modi was spending huge amount of money over publicity for creating his image.

Raising question over Modi's claim over the state's development, Shinde said if it is so, then why there are 10 lakh unemployed youths registered in Gujarat.

He also asked that why applications of 10 lakh farmers in Gujarat have been pending for power connections for irrigation purpose.

He said in 1995, when the Congress was in power in Gujarat, 2.15 lakh persons were employed in the government services, however, this number has declined to 1.60 lakhs during 11 years of Modi regime.

Shinde said exit of former chief minister Keshubhai Patel from BJP "indicated the style of functioning of Modi."

"Modi tried to mislead people by making false claims of development in the state, but people of Gujarat have realised it and the defeat of his government in the Assembly poll is certain," Shinde said.