Narendra Modi likely to take on UPA at CMs’ meet

NEW DELHI: An interesting tussle might be on the cards as the government braces for Gujarat CM Narendra Modi, upbeat from his third straight win, expected to use the National Development Council (NDC) platform on Thursday to showcase a vision of governance while attacking the UPA.

The chief ministers of opposition-ruled states, including Nitish Kumar of Bihar and J Jayalalitha of Tamil Nadu, will also be keenly watched at Thursday’s meeting as they have been accusing the Centre of neglecting non-UPA ruled states.

UPA managers are working overtime to counter Modi, Nitish and Jayalalitha. Sensing trouble, sources said NDC has been remodeled to include parliamentary affairs minister Kamal Nath, health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and law minister Ashwini Kumar to blunt opposition’s attack.

In a big relief for government managers, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to miss the meet as the ruling coalition is wary of a growing concert between Opposition CMs. The last time they were here, Modi had met Jayalalitha and Orissa CM Naveen Patnaik.

Though Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress is annoyed with the Centre on various issues, including FDI in multi-brand retail, inflation and diesel price hike, the main bone of contention was Centre’s reluctance on her demand for three year moratorium on repayment of loans worth around Rs 22,000 crore a year.

Modi has been vocal in attacking UPA for its failure on the economic front. He has accused the Centre of suffering from policy paralysis after the growth rate fell to nine-year low in last financial year.

During annual plan meet in June, Modi was attacked by plan panel for Gujarat’s poor performance on social indicators, but he countered saying there is a discrepancy in the Centre’s data.

Kumar is likely to reiterate the demand for special category status for the backward states as he has been demanding changes in existing guidelines to accommodate Bihar.

Jayalalitha may rake up Cavery water sharing issue to put UPA government on backfoot. She had been accusing Centre of excessive control over fiscal resources relegating states to “glorified municipalities”. The government has been working at a credible response to her claims in Cauvery.

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