Narendra Modi speaking white lies on development: Arvind Kejriwal

Ahmedabad: Accusing Narendra Modi of speaking "white lies" on development in Gujarat, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal today said he would meet the Gujarat Chief Minister to discuss the development claims.

The former Delhi Chief Minister said he has raised 16 questions on development claims on Gujarat and wants to discuss all the issues with Modi if he has the time.

Kejriwal, who is on a four-day visit to Gujarat to 'verify' the development claims on the home turf of Modi, also raked up the gas pricing issue. "Modi should make his point clear on the issue of gas pricing," he said, adding, "Gujarat government has demanded that gas pricing should be USD 16.

Earlier, UPA government had given a go ahead to raise the price of gas from USD 4 to USD 8". He also alleged that Gujarat government is purchasing solar power at Rs 15 per unit, while the price elsewhere is Rs 8 per unit.

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal waves to supporters following his arrival in Ahmedabad on March 5. Kejriwal, whose new anti-graft party in January announced it would contest most of the seats in upcoming general elections, is on a four day tour to Gujarat. Pic/AFP

"You are speaking white lies on the claims of development," the AAP leader alleged. He also raised questions on the issue of corrupt ministers in the Modi government and alleged that the chief minister has a bond with Mukesh Ambani.

"Why you have included Babu Bokhiria as a minister who has been convicted in a mining scam with three years sentence and at present who is on bail now?" he asked. "Whereas another minister Purshottam Solanki, who has been convicted in Rs 450 crore fisheries scam, is also a minister in your Cabinet," Kejriwal said.

"Don't you find an honest Gujarati among the six crore Gujaratis?" he asked.

"People say that you have such close relations with Mukesh Ambani that you have made Ambani family's son-in-law a minister," Kejriwal alleged. "You made Saurabh Patel a minister. By giving him portfolios like gas, petroleum, energy and minerals, in a way you allocated Gujarat's natural resources to Ambanis," he alleged.

"Unemployment is pathetic in the state. Recently, 13 lakh people applied for 1,500 posts of Talati. This clearly shows that Gujarat has a high rate of unemployment," said Kejriwal. On the contractual job system in state-run units, the former Delhi chief minister held Modi responsible for exploitation of youths.

"Educated youths have been given adhoc jobs on a meager salary of Rs 5,300 per month. Who will be able to run his family in Rs 5,300 per month?" he asked.

It is the government's responsibility to give good education to poor. We have been in the villages to verify the educational facilities in rural area, said Kejriwal. "Government-run schools are in worst condition, health care is in shambles, farmers have been given less compensation for land acquired from them by government," he alleged.