Gandhinagar, Sep 18 (IANS) Police used water cannons here Monday to stop legislators and party workers of the opposition Congress from taking out a rally towards the Gujarat Assembly building.

The Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) members were protesting against the short two-day session of the assembly that began Monday and government's refusal to discuss the flood relief in the state.

Police stopped the workers about a kilometre away from the assembly building. The skirmishes between agitators and police continued for quite some time.

The session, however, began on the scheduled time.

Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Arjun Modhvadia called Chief Minister Narendra Modi government as 'Hitlershahi' and condemned the police action.

"We have demanded that the monsoon session should be of at least ten days. We also demanded for discussion on flood situation, but it was not granted," Modhvadia told reporters after the rally.

"Our parliament can spare four days to discuss Gujarat floods, but unfortunately the assembly doesn't have the time," he added.

According to Modhvadia, Modi has not only refused to extend the monsoon session beyond two days, but has also influenced the speaker not to allow a motion, as proposed by the Congress whip, regarding a discussion on the recent floods in the state.

"In most of the assemblies, the monsoon session lasts for more than ten days, but ever since Modi government has taken over, it keeps on shrinking in Gujarat," said Modhvadia.

Alleging police of unjust arrest and canning Congress members across the state, Modhvadia came down heavily upon Modi.

"The health situation in the state is really poor. Our health authorities cannot determine which virus is causing epidemic, but Modi is busy in sticking his photos on condoms," said Modhvadia, on the recent controversy regarding the chief minister's photograph on health kits distributed by the family welfare department and on relief material.

He said the proposal for a no confidence motion against the council of ministers, however, has been allowed.

If the discussion takes place on this motion, several issues could be discussed including law and order situation, chaos in electricity supply situation, corruption in higher education and professional courses, can also be debated, he said.

All the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators were present following a whip from Gujarat party chief Jitendra Sukhadia.