“As per the statistics, Gujarat ranks fifth in the country in terms of annual growth rate, while in terms of poverty headcount ratio (for the year 2011-12), it ranks 14th. The state's infant mortality rate is ninth in the country, while its literacy rate in the year 2011 puts it at 12th position in the country.
“When it comes to the number of households with electricity in the country, Gujarat is behind nine better performing states in the country, while its statewide coverage of roads, for the year 2011 (kms per 10,000 population) puts it at the 22nd position in the country.
“Therefore, touting the Gujarat model of development as universally applicable, is an exaggerated and boastful claim. We reject it. Modi should moderate his claims,” Chidambaram said.
Seeking to dispel the possibility of propping up Third Front government to keep Modi out of power, he expressed confidence that UPA would come to power after the polls. The Finance Minister said that besides Modi, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa were creating obstacles in the implementation of Goods and Service Tax (GST).
