BJP challenges CPI-M for a debate on development

T’PURAM:
The BJP yesterday challenged
the CPI-M for an open debate on development issues,
a day after the latter suspended its MP A P Abdullakutty
from the party for praising Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra
Modi’s investor-friendly policies.

“The CPI-M which had described the Gujarat development
model as ‘hollow’ should be prepared for an open discussion
on the issue,” BJP state general secretary M T
Ramesh said here.

The development record in Kerala, which had been ruled
in turns by CPI(M)-led LDF and Congress-led UDF for
the last five decades was “very poor”. In
West Bengal, where the Left Front was ruling for the
last 30 years, developmental works were in a “pathetic”
condition, he charged.

“What had been achieved in Gujarat during two
terms of the BJP government in Gujarat should be compared
to this,” he said.

Abdullakutty was not the first person to praise the
Gujarat model of development. Several experts and writers
had been expressing similar views of late, Ramesh claimed.

He also alleged that BJP prisoners were being harassed
in Kerala jails by CPI-M men with the tacit support
of jail staff having allegiance to the party. The BJP
would not allow the CPI-M’s attempt to create problems
in prisons, he said.

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