Sheila Dikshit takes on Modi, questions his devlopment model

NEW DELHI: Taking on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, his Delhi counterpart Sheila Dikshit today sought to puncture the development model being followed in the BJP-ruled state and invited him to Delhi to see for himself what "real" participatory democracy means.

Questioning Modi's development agenda, she said if he wants to ensure proper development then he should follow the model of participatory democracy being implemented by her government.

"I would like to invite Narendra Modi here to see for himself what participatory democracy means. The real development means involving people in the development process which is not happening there (in Gujarat)," Dikshit told PTI.

Modi, who registered a third consecutive victory in assembly polls last year and is seen as a strong contender for BJP's prime ministerial candidate in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, has been highlighting his development model for the state.

While interacting with a group of US Congressmen, he had spoken about fast, inclusive and environment-friendly development process in Gujarat which has created an impact in the country. In his address at the India Today conclave here last month, Modi had spoken against MGNREGA.

Lashing out at Modi for criticising the UPA's flagship programme, Dikshit, a three-time chief minister, highlighted Bhagidari initiative of her government under which over 3,000 Resident Welfare Associations have been involved in decision making process for initiating various development activities.

"When we came to power for the first term, we realised that we must understand people's requirement, their wishes, their aspirations. We felt no proper development can take place without participation of RWAs, women groups, traders and others. So we initiated the Bhagidari programme which meant governance through partnerships," she said.

"We had series of meetings to finalise development agenda at local level and it bore fruit. The programme won an award from the UN. The government of India published a booklet on the programme and gave it out to all the states," she said.