Political slugfest shrouds Narmada bridge function

BHARUCH: The function of laying foundation stone for a new bridge over Narmada in Bharuch on Tuesday turned into an open political slugfest with Congress and BJP trying to take the credit for the work in the state.
The function also witnessed acrimonious scenes when BJP MP from Bharuch Mansukh Vasava's criticism of UPA government enraged Congress workers present there.The workers started hurling expletives at him and created a scene. An agitated Vasava abruptly stopped his speech and warned the Congress workers to behave themselves or face consequences. "It will take me just two minutes to teach you a lesson and teach you how to behave," he thundered from the dais. Vasava was hitting out at UPA government for not completing its 2005 promise of constructing Dandi heritage road.
All the ruckus took place in the presence of four Central ministers - CP Joshi, minister for road, transport and highways, his deputy Tushar Chaudhary, Bharatsinh Solanki, junior minister for railways and Dinsha Patel, minister for mines (independent charge). Gujarat's roads and buildings minister Anandi Patel, sports minister Ishwarsinh Patel, local MLAs and MPs were also present on the dais.
This was enough instigation for Joshi and Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Shaktisinh Gohil, who started blaming NDA, Gujarat government and BJP leaders.
"UPA is giving five times more to Gujarat than what NDA was giving. Gujarat's 9 per cent GDP is due to improved policies of UPA but if BJP MP and minster Anandi Patel are blaming us, then I want to ask them that how many times they met me to resolve the issue of traffic chaos on Narmada Bridge. It was Ahmed Patel who talked with road and highway department to resolve the issue."
Addressing the gathering, Gohil said, "For BJP, Sauna Saath Sauno Vikas is merely a slogan. But we have fulfilled it in true sense. We invited BJP ministers, MLAs and MPs gave them seat in first row. We also provided them mikes to express their views. We believe in simplicity and don't want to use public money in felicitation function like other BJP leaders."
She also handed over a written representation to Joshi asking him to extend Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway up to Mumbai.