Date:20/02/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/02/20/stories/2004022007771300.htm

National

Congress counters NDA claim

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, FEB.19. The Congress today questioned the "massive propaganda'' of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance Government and challenged its claim of having achieved more in the last five years as compared to the previous 50 years under the Congress rule.

"This misleading campaign fuelled by massive resources of the State is aimed at confusing the people to serve the political agenda of the BJP for narrow electoral gains and in its eagerness to do so, the ruling combine is distorting facts, negating past achievements and questioning both the memory and wisdom of our people,'' the Congress spokesperson, Anand Sharma said.

The party said that the comparison itself was based on "false premise'' and contradicted logic and facts.

It asked the BJP whether it had added an Indian Institute of Technology, a Bokaro steel plant or a Trombay nuclear plant and reminded that during the previous Congress regime several such institutions/units were set up.

The party said that through the infusion of technology and massive investments in infrastructure, India had made rapid strides in every field.

The industrial revolution, Bhakra, Hirakund, Nagarjunasagar and other huge hydel and irrigation projects were some of the highlights of development, it stressed.

The Green Revolution and White Revolution, inspired by the leadership of Indira Gandhi and the vision of Rajiv Gandhi for India in the 21st century, and initiatives in the field of information technology, telecom had taken the country forward, the party said.