Congress wants Narendra Modi to apologise for Gujarat minister Nitin Patel's remarks

AHMEDABAD: Opposition Congress today sought removal of finance minister Nitin Patel for his remarks linking migration from other states to surge in the number of poor families in Gujarat over the last decade.

The state unit president Arjun Modhvadia also demanded apology from chief minister Narendra Modi over the comment made by Patel.

Modhvadia was referring to the statement made by Patel yesterday saying the number of people coming under BPL criterion has gone up in Gujarat due to migration from other states.

"Narendra Modi should apologise to the nation and take away all the portfolios given to the minister", Modhvadia said.

He also criticised Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray for "anti-migrants mentality".

"...There are hundreds of so-called outsiders who have contributed immensely for the development of Gujarat", Modhvadia said.

A row has erupted between BJP and Congress over a circular by food and civil supply department of Gujarat which fixed the poverty line cut-off at Rs 10.70 per day in rural areas and Rs 16.70 per day in urban areas.

BJP has rebutted the Congress attack saying it was merely following the criterion fixed by the Centre in 2004 and accused the Congress of not changing the same despite many reminders by the state government.

"The minister (Patel) had failed to realise that in 2004 there was a BJP-led NDA government at the Centre and even (in) Gujarat it was the BJP government led by Chief Minister Modi", Modhvadia said.