Rahul Gandhi justifies his 'toffee' barb against Gujarat model

Mumbai: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi justified his 'toffee' barb against the Gujarat model of development, saying it was prompted by the Narendra Modi government giving away land to industrialists at Re 1 per sqmetre, the price of a toffee.

Addressing an election rally, Gandhi alleged that over 45,000 acres of farmers' land had been acquired by the Gujarat government and given to industrialists at Re 1 per sqmetre to build malls and other urban showpieces, depriving the poor of food and livelihood.

"You can buy a toffee for one rupee, but in Gujarat land was given to industrialists for just Re 1 per sqmetre... That's why I have named Gujarat model of development as toffee model," he said.

He said the much-hyped Gujarat model was like an inflated balloon that would burst if pricked.

After their 'India Shining' slogan failed in the 2004 and 2009 elections, the BJP has come up with the Gujarat model, he said, charging that it deprives the poor of their livelihood.

The Congress, on the other hand, wants all-round development and uplift of the poor and marginalised, Gandhi said.