War of words escalates between Gujarat government, Shankarsinh Vaghela

AHMEDABAD: The BJP-led Gujarat government criticised senior Congress leader Shankarsinh Vaghela who has been blaming the state government for allegedly failing to protect the people and warned the government of dire consequences.

Replying to Vaghela's earlier allegations about Gujarat's law and order situation, Gujarat ministers Nitin Patel and Saurabh Patel alleged in a press release issued here today that the Congress is blowing a small issue out of proportion for political gains.

They were referring to recent incidents in Ahmedabad and Kheda districts where villagers clashed with the police.

These villagers panicked after rumours that gangs of robbers have entered their area.

After these incidents, Vaghela and other Congress leaders criticised the government for failing to control the situation.

"Gujarat still remembers how farmers were shot at during Congress rule in the state. Congress did everything to crush farmers' interests. BJP government uplifted them from such a miserable condition and gave them a respectable life," the release stated.

The ministers asked the Congress to stop using small incidents for political gain by inciting people.

They claimed that contrary to Congress claims, under the leadership of Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, Gujarat is safer than many other states.