Modi said, at that time they had termed him wrong, but now that Mukherjee has given a similar statement, all are applauding him.

Modi was in Surat to dedicate four SMC projects to the public. These include a fire station, sports complex, health centre and houses for the poor in the city. He also handed over the keys to the six beneficiaries.

He said: “I have warned the diamond unit owners not to layoff the workers. The owners have to reduce the wages and also the working hours. The Congress leaders had then termed me wrong. But now Mukherjee has given statements to the unit owners to reduce the salaries, but not to layoff the staff, and the Congress people have welcomed it.”

Modi reiterated his demand that the Centre provide rough diamonds to the unit owners through Hindustan Diamonds, and purchase the polished diamonds for selling at a later date when the international markets for diamonds and jewellery attain stability.

Together with the RBI, the Centre has made a task force. But till today, not a single constructive step has been taken, he said.

Modi congratulated the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) for making the 3,770 houses ready for the poor at Kosad in Surat within one and a half years.

He said: “The entire world is facing the effects of the meltdown. Six months ago, we had knocked on the Prime Minister’s doors and told them to remain alert. But they did not pay any attention to my statements.”

He added: “Even during this crucial period the state government had planned to start infrastructure and development projects so that people can get jobs. Nobody could have possibly imagined that the state government will provide houses to the poor during recession, but we have proved it.”

He added that recently a delegation of the Canadian government came to Gujarat. They had also found place where rough diamonds can be found, he said, adding that a delegation will soon be sent to Canada to assess the situation and sign business agreements.

Modi called for making Surat a global city. He told the SMC officials to start an e-news paper so that people across the world are able to see and read about the growth and development of the city of diamonds and textiles.

Attacking the UPA government, Modi said the Centre had declared a relief package for the 2006 flood-affected people, “but even after two years, not a single penny has been given or sent from Delhi”.