The much-touted Gujarat model of development is “flawed” and “a bit of an exaggeration”, finance minister P. Chidambaram said on Monday, affirming that this model would not work for the whole country.
Flaunted by CM Narendra Modi as a success story, the Gujarat model was described by Mr Chidambaram as the one that had left large sections of the people of the state behind. “Like every model, there are some positive elements. But by and large it’s a flawed model. It is a model that does not believe in inclusive growth. It is a model that has left large sections of the people of Gujarat behind,” he said.
“Secondly, a model that may have worked in Gujarat over a period of few years may not be the model that will work for the whole country,” he added. Refusing to get into a discussion whether Mr Modi as BJP’s prime ministerial candidate would be good or bad for Congress, he said his party was not fighting any individual but an idea represented by BJP which was rejected in 2004 and 2009.
He mocked at the elevation of Modi as BJP campaign chief, saying he was such a divisive person that there is a “lot of rebellion” within his party apparently referring to the resignation by L.K. Advani.
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Bhiwani, Bharatpur now a part of NCR
New Delhi, July 1: Bhiwani and Mahendragarh districts of Haryana and Bharatpur in Rajasthan are now part of the National Capital Region.
Their inclusion was on Monday approved by the National Capital Region Planning Board which will also soon take up proposals on Jind and Karnal districts. “Based on the request of the participating states, the board today has approved the inclusion of Bharat in Rajasthan, Bhiwani and Mahendragarh in Haryana in the NCR,” Urban Development minister Kamal Nath said.
“The planning committee will also meet up shortly to take up Jind and Karnal,” Mr Nath said on Monday after chairing the meeting here. — PTI