"Debate with me, I'm also a Gujarati", Sam Pitroda challenges PM Modi
Dharamshala, May 9: Congress leader Sam Pitroda on Thursday said the BJP-led government at the Centre had failed on all sectors and challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a debate with him as he is also a "Gujarati".
Pitroda said an atmosphere had been created where people do not believe in facts, but "lies" that are being promoted on social media.
"Modi has misused the public money on self-promotion and advertisement," Pitroda said, alleging that half of the budget of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao was spent on advertisement.
"Come, debate on issues. Have a debate with (Congress chief) Rahul Gandhi and, if not him, then debate with me. I am also a Gujarati," Patroda told reporters here.
Rather than talking about the work done in the past five years, Pitroda said, Modi was drawing attention to the border, nationality of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and attacking former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Pitroda said the Lok Sabha election is the most important in the history of India, saying it is not a contest between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress. "This election is about the future of India. About what kind of nation we want," he said.
Likening the proposed Nyay scheme with the MGNREGA, Pitroda said the minimum income scheme would kick-start the rural economy.
The BJP government failed in its promise of providing 10 crore jobs in five years, instead 24 lakh government posts are lying vacant, Pitroda said.
"It also faltered on the promise of 100 smart cities. They promised to double farmers' income, but it has declined," Pitroda said. "The national debt has increased by 50 per cent. Budget on education has been cut from 4.9 per cent to 3.4 per cent."
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Vijay says no to CM convoy until swearing-in: TVK
Chennai (PTI): TVK chief Vijay declined to accept the police convoy vehicles provided to Tamil Nadu chief minister as per protocol until his swearing-in, the party said on Thursday.
A police official confirmed that the CM convoy vehicles provided to him "as per protocol" following the announcement of the Assembly election results were returned and have not been withdrawn.
The official also said that arrangements were in place for the swearing-in ceremony.
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) clarified that its party founder Vijay had "personally requested that the convoy vehicles be returned". In a statement here, the TVK said: "Vijay conveyed that he would accept the official chief minister-level security only after forming the government with a decisive mandate".
Four convoy vehicles assigned to Vijay on May 4 after his TVK secured 108 seats in the Assembly polls returned from his residence following his request.
Even on May 6, the police had deployed security near his Panaiyur residence and in front of the Lok Bhavan here when Vijay called on Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to stake his claim to form the government. Vijay did not use the government vehicle to meet the Governor.
