Ahmedabad: Gujarat's golden jubilee celebrations have run into a political controversy.
"The state has organised a unique program. The celebrations will begin this May Day and will continue through various events till May 2011," said Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
As hundreds of Modi hoardings dot the city, invitation cards flaunt his face and the promotions announce him as the master of all ceremonies.
A sidelined Opposition has accused him of turning Gujarat Day into a Modi publicity campaign.
"Money should be spent on the common people. Instead crores of rupees are being spent by the chief minister to boost his own ego," said Shaktisinh Gohil, Leader of Opposition, Gujarat Assembly.
So the Congress has organised its own Gujarat Day event.
Now, not one party, but two of them are spending crores on an event that holds out little benefits for the common man.