Jamnagar: The Modi government is hoping to cash in on "development" in the industrial heart of Gujarat while the Congress is focussing on "broken promises" to make inroads into the saffron party's stronghold in a virtual direct contest.

There is only one issue that every one is talking about: development or the lack of it, as campaigning picks up slowly in this part of the Saurashtra region where polling is due on December 11.

Out of the eight assembly seats in this district, the BJP won five seats in the 2002 polls. Even this time, the ruling party is confident of sailing through comfortably.

"We are highlighting development schemes such as increased water supply, uninterrupted power and better rural infrastructure," says sitting BJP MLA Vasuben Trivedi.

The Congress, on the other hand, has focused on "broken promises" of the Modi government. "BJP leaders gave their word that they would bring Narmada water to the city and its rural areas. They had also promised concrete roads and more jobs for the local farmers whose land had been acquired for setting up industries. None of this has been delivered," says Dr Dinesh Bhai Parmar, Congress candidate from Jamnagar (rural).

However, the Congress is aware of the wafer-thin margin with which it won three seats -- Jamnagar (rural), Bhanvad and Dwarka. The party is hoping to cash in on the voter's dissatisfaction over water supply and problems faced by farmers including unemployment.

Source : PTI