Gujarat Congress sarcastically praises Modi in advertisement

New Delhi/Ahmedabad, Jan.28 (ANI): In a possibly embarrassing gaffe, the opposition Congress party in Gujarat has praised Chief Minister Narendra Modi in an advertisement in this election year.

A pull-out by the Congress, distributed with newspapers on the Republic Day in some parts of the state, features Modi's photograph, and describes him as "a master organiser and astute election strategist".

The two-page advertisement tries to say that Gujarat has been a progressive state from its birth, and seeks to highlight the contribution of all chief ministers of the state, including Modi.

Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, however, said on Saturday that the advertisement was a sarcastic praise of Modi's achievements in the state, and it was not the party's intent at to praise the BJP leader at all. Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley said the truth had inadvertently surfaced from Congress ranks.

The State assembly elections are scheduled to be held in December, and campaigning has almost begun.

The advert informs the readers that "a master organiser, his party's topmost functionary and astute election strategist Shri Narendrabhai Modi became the Chief Minister of Gujarat on October 7, 2001". It then lists major achievements under Modi. "He has been trying very hard to convert Gujarat into a vibrant state, he has established a separate department for biotechnology, and he has also been able to raise the height of the Narmada dam from 111.64 mts Rpt 111.64 mts to 121.92 mts.

"He has been organising Vibrant Gujarat investor summit every two years," it says, also taking note of Krishi Mohatsav, Navratri Mohatsav, Kite flying festival, Rann Ustav, Kakarai Carnival and drive for enrolment of students in schools, all Modi government initiatives. (ANI)