After addressing rallies in Bharuch, Surendranagar and Rajkot on Sunday, as part of his two day-long 'Vikas Rallies', Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing four more rallies on Monday. The prime minister will be holding public meetings at Dharampur in Valsad district and later at Bhavnagar. From there he will visit other places in Saurashtra: Junagadh and Jamnagar.
Modi on Sunday accused the Congress of seeking to divide the people on caste and religious lines. He also hit out at the Congress over the upcoming election of its president, alleging that the Opposition party has a history of rigging (organisational) elections.
If one doesn't have democracy in his home (party), how can the person practice it in the country, he wondered and said the outcome of the election to the top post in the Congress is a foregone conclusion.
He lashed out at the Congress over its criticism of the government's ambitious bullet train project, saying if the opposition party has a problem with it, it could roam around on bullock carts.
"The people of Gujarat know what the Congress is up to. It changes colour time and again, creates a wall between brothers, it wants to make urban areas fight with rural areas of the country, illiterate fight with literates and poor fight with the rich," he said.
Modi said the party made "one caste fight with the other, one religion fight with another".
"They keep you busy in fighting with each other. You may die but the Congress will eat 'malai' (cream)," he said, launching a broadside against the opposition party apparently for having an alliance with caste leaders such as Hardik Patel, Jignesh Mevani and Alpesh Thakor ahead of the state polls.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Surendranagar rally. Twitter @bjp4india
"But, they do not understand that all these diseases were cured in Gujarat from the day when the BJP came to power in the state, and the state is firmly on the path of development," the prime minister asserted.
"They (Congress) have a pain that Gujarat is progressing rapidly. When I was the chief minister, no day passed when they had not taken a step to harm Gujarat," he said.
Sharpening his attack on Congress leaders such as former prime minister Manmohan Singh and former finance minister P Chidambaram, he told a rally in Bharuch district that by opposing the bullet train, the party stooped to a such a level that it was opposing the country's development.
Recently, Manmohan Singh and Chidambaram, during their visits to Gujarat, had said the bullet train project was among the NDA government's "misplaced priorities".
Resuming his campaign in his home state, where the first phase of Assembly elections is to be held on December 9, said, "Dr Manmohan Singhji, your government had made an announcement before 2012 (Gujarat Assembly) elections from Delhi about the bullet train, but your talks with Japan did not go down well as the loan Japan was offering we could not afford," he said.
But, Modi said, his government negotiated the loan at a very low interest rate and the work on the bullet train has started.
The prime minister said, "My problem is, you can oppose the BJP but why stoop to such a low level that you are opposing development of the country."
He said the real thing is they are in pain as they could not do it.
"We say, there is no other way than development. We have wasted 70 years in the fight over of casteism, in dynastic politics, in yours and mine, but now the country is determined to go on the path of development," he said.
Later, at a rally in Surendranagar district, he hit out at the Congress over the upcoming election of its president.
"An election is going on in the Congress party for its president. What the result will be everybody knows," he said.
To this, the crowd replied that Rahul Gandhi will become the Congress president.
Modi said a youth called Shezad (Poonawala), who is a (Congress) party worker, has raised questions over the process of the election and alleged that it is being rigged.
"They keep on muttering words like tolerance, tolerance, tolerance...but the party has brought out a diktat to silence this youth. The party has gagged him from all WhatsApp groups. He has been collectively boycotted by that party," the prime minister claimed.
"We have a Gujarati saying which means that if there is water in a well then only it can come in a bucket. If you do not have democracy in your home (party) how can you practice it in the country," Modi said.
He went on to allege that this has been a practice with the Congress party.
"Sardar Patel got more votes than Jawharlal Nehru when the Congress party had (then) met to decide who will be the prime minster of the country. But that the election was rigged and Nehru won," he alleged.
Claiming the same thing happened with Morarji Desai, he said, "They have the history of rigging elections."
Earlier in Bharuch, Modi said his government has recently taken steps to delist bamboo from the tree category and classified it as a grass so that the tribal people can grow it and sell it in forest areas.
Targeting Rahul Gandhi, Modi said the Congress government did not do it for the last 70 years. "Those who do not know what is to be done with potato how would they know what is to be done with bamboo," he said.
Rahul Gandhi's meme on potato has been doing rounds in social media in which he is seen saying that the BJP will invent a machine in which if 'aloo' (potato) is put from one side, then gold will come out from the other side.
With inputs from PTI
Read complete coverage of Gujarat Elections 2017 here
Published Date: Dec 04, 2017 03:02 pm | Updated Date: Dec 04, 2017 03:33 pm
Highlights
Fresh from Uttar Pradesh civic poll win, BJP directs newly-elected mayors to campaign in Gujarat
The BJP has won 14 out of 16 mayoral seats in civic polls in Uttar Pradesh and all the newly elected leaders will be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday to seek his blessings.
Thereafter, they will proceed to Gujarat for campaigning for the Assembly elections there on 9 and 14 December.
"The newly elected mayors will meet the prime minister over tea tomorrow in Delhi. They are all devoted party workers and will be used where ever the party needs them," BJP state general secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak told PTI.
Read more here
Huge crowd at Hardik Patel's Surat rally
Congress spreading disinformation against BJP, says Modi
Mani Shankar Aiyer clarifies his statement
Narendra Modi targets Congress over secularism
"Why has the Congress stopped saying BJP is anti-Muslim? Earlier, they would go out of the way to show their secularism but now we are all seeing what they are doing in this election, where they are going. Unfortunately for them, Muslims know their real nature," Modi said in Dharampur.
Congress is anti-OBC, says Modi
"Why did the Congress not give Constitutional Status to the OBC Commission? We got a bill but when we did so, they stalled it in the Rajya Sabha. This anti-OBC Congress should be severely punished by the people," says Modi.
Congress ignored tribal welfare, claims Modi
"Not only did the Congress ignore the healthcare infrastructure in tribal areas, there was no arrangements for ambulances. We changed both these things- today there are better healthcare services and the 108 ambulance service is active," said the prime minister.
Follow our LIVE blog on Rahul Gandhi's elevation to Congress presidency here.
Modi concludes speech
"Help us win the Gujarat polls with over 150 seats," Modi urges the gathering while concluding his speech.
Modi reiterates his anti-corruption credentials
"Have you ever read that I have eaten so much (corruption). Have you read that any of my relatives have indulged any corruption?" Modi asked the gathering. Their (Congress leaders) headlines are.. '2 lakh crore 2G case, 1 lakh crore in coal scam.. so and so in submarine scam'. These news were in newspaper But from my end, there were reports like "how much money came to India," Modi said while reiterating his anti-corruption credentials.
Congress is anti-OBC, claims Modi
"These people talk a lot of OBCs.. but i want to tell the OBCs of south Gujarat that Congress is lying and renegading on promises. Our MP met Manmohan Singh on giving constitutional status to OBC commission but nothing came out of it," Modi said in Dharmapur.
The Manishankar Aiyer comment which Modi referred to
Modi invokes Sardar Patel and Morarji Desai
"You could not even handle Kashmir. But Sardar did yeomen service by unifying all rajas in India. Morarji fought for Prime Ministership. But he was jailed and thrown out like dirt," Modi said while slamming dynasty politics in Congress.
Modi defends note ban
Modi asks crowd whether they were angry because of demonetisation.. The crowd shouts "no'. "It is only Congress which is angry due to the note ban as they have lost their opportunity to loot the poor in India. They cry because I have acted against them. I am here for the poor. Every money in India is for the poor, adivasis, Dalits, farmers and workers," Modi said while defending note ban.
Congress loves insulting Gujaratis
"Do these people defame UP, Bihar, Rajasthan and WB? But Congress used to defame and insult Gujarat. Every Congress leader usued to at least insult Gujarat once in a day," Modi said in the Dharmapur rally.
Modi congratulates Congress for 'Aurangazeb raj'
"Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyer had said "Jab jahangir ke jagah pe Shahjahan aye the tab elections hua tha kya?" It has been decided that the queen's son will be made the leader. Congress itself believes that it is not a party but a cotorie.. For them, if they come to power, it means a dynast is coming to power. This "Aurangazeb raj" is god for them," Modi said while mocking Congress presidential elections. For me the 125 crore Indians ar emy high command, added Modi.
Those out on bail now want to lead party, says Modi
"Those people who are on bail..the court has asked a case to be filed against them. Congress party has been forced to make him the president.. Congress has become bankrupt. They have nothing left now.." Modi said while targetting Rahul Gandhi.
Teach Congress a lesson on 9 December, says Modi
"On 9 December, you have to decide the destiny of Gujarat.. The vote is against those who hate Guajrati people, Gujarat state, its name itself. 9 December is the date when you can teach a lesson to these people who are defaming Gujarat," Modi said.
Narendra Modi is speaking at Dharampur rally
Bharatsinh Solanki condemns attack on Congress candidates
Why the Gujarat deal is a chimera
While legal luminary and Congress leader Kapil Sibal, who brokered the deal with Hardik, did not disclose its details, the 24-year-old Patidar leader claimed that it would be carried out under Articles 31B and 46 of the Constitution.
Taking recourse to Article 31B means passing a law to raise reservation level to include Patidars and then parking that legislation in the Constitution’s Ninth Schedule where it is presumed to be safe from judicial hurdles. In theory this can happen, but there are three big Ifs:
It can only happen
1) if the Congress wins Gujarat elections to pass a bill that will bless Patidars with reservations;
2) if the Modi government then agrees to keep that law in the Ninth Schedule and
3) if the Supreme Court agrees that such a law in Ninth Schedule is really beyond a judicial review.
Hardik Patel’s quota ‘deal’ is a cruel joke, but stirs up caste frenzy in other states
Past verdicts of the Supreme Court as well as various high courts, however, make it evident that the Congress is fooling Hardik. Or possibly, Hardik, too naive to understand the legal hassles of raising reservation levels, is fooling himself. Or he is fooling his community.
Even as Congress leaders and Hardik live in a fool’s paradise, beating tambourines and singing paeans to each other, their so-called deal is getting the adrenaline of backward class reservations going in other states.
Modi to be in Gujarat between 6 and 9 December
6 December
Dhandhuka : 09:30 am
Dahod : 12:00 noon
Netrang : 02:00 pm
Surat : 06:00 pm
8 December
Bhabhar : 11:00 am
Kalol : 12:30 pm
Himatnagar: 02:30 pm
Vatva : 04:00 pm
9 December
Lunavada : 09:30 am
Bodeli : 11:00 am
Anand : 12:00 noon
Mehsana : 03:00 pm
Modi to be in Dharmapur soon
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left Surat to Dharampur, reported Financial Express. Modi will be addressing a public meeting at Malanpada.
Modi invokes Sardar Patel, Morarji to slam party rigging
Narendra Modi went on to claim that rigging was a practice in the Congress party. "Sardar Patel got more votes than Jawaharlal Nehru when the Congress party had (then) met to decide who would be the prime minster of the country. But that election was rigged and Nehru won," he alleged. This is what happened with Morarji Desai, too, Modi said.
PTI
RECAP: Modi mocks 'rigged' Congress presidential polls
Mocking the Congress over the upcoming election of its president, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday alleged the party had a history of rigging organisational polls. The outcome of the election to the top post in the Congress was a foregone conclusion, Modi said while addressing a rally in Gujarat's Surendranagar district.
Modi slams Congress over 'chaiwala' jibe
Referring to the meme tweeted by the Youth Congress, Modi said the Congress was using abusive language against him. "It is their 'sanskar' (values). I have not studied in an English medium school but in a government school where they taught me how to lead life," Modi said in Surendranagar.
"From those lessons, I have learnt that 125 crore people of the country are my God and I am their priest. I will continue to work for 'sabka sath, sabka vikas'," the prime minister said.
BJP Gujarat unit tweets video showcasing Gujarat's world class economic development
Meanwhile.. Amit Shah to campaign in Tapi, Surat and Navsari
RECAP: Rajnath Singh says 'Gujarat model' helped BJP win 2014 polls
Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that the BJP formed government at the Centre because of the Gujarat model of development and that the people of the country had already answered the questions of Rahul Gandhi by giving it a mandate in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
Hitting out at Gandhi over his "a question a day" social media campaign, Singh said he should first tell why India remained poor despite the Congress ruling it for 50-55 years.
At a public rally in Sanand, Singh said, "The Congress leader (Rahul) asks what did the BJP government do in 22 years of its rule? What the BJP government has done in 22 years has been answered by the people of India during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections."
Meanwhile.. Smriti Irani campaigned in Surat on Sunday
PM tweets on his today's rallies in Gujarat
Meanwhile.. Rahul Gandhi tweets his sixth question in as many days
Rahul Gandhi asks why the salaries of fixed and contractual workers in Gujarat is still Rs 5,500 and Rs 10,000 when the seventh pay commission pegs their salaries at Rs 18,000.
RECAP: Prime minister questions Congress' intolerance against Shahzad Poonawala
"There is a man named Shahzad. He has asked a question to the 'shehzaada'," Modi said in reference to the Congress leader’s letters to Rahul. "They are getting publicly embarrased by a Congress leader. They spoke so much about tolerance that they have released a 'fatwa' that Shahzad should be removed from every WhatsApp group that he is in. This is the same party that cries of intolerance," he said.
RECAP: Modi slams Opposition parties
At a rally in Rajkot later in the day, the prime minister continued his attack against the Opposition. "India's rise in the world stage has rattled many. They are going out of the way to discredit the rankings. Yes, that is fine but will they also discredit the people of UP who have rejected them comprehensively," Modi said, referring to Congress dismissing the improvement in 'Ease of doing business' and Moody rankings.
RECAP: Modi raised the issue of dynasty politics in Congress
After Bharuch, Modi flew to Surendranagar where he continued to target the Gandhi family over charges of dynasty politics in the wake of Congress leader Shehzad Poonawalla's allegation that the party president's election is rigged to favour Rahul Gandhi.
Modi slams Congress over its criticism of bullet trains
"My problem with Congress politics is simple- they oppose us just for the sake of opposing. They oppose things like bullet train only because they could not take this initiative forward and are envious someone else is."
PM Modi to address four rallies today
Updates for 4 December begin
Narendra Modi begins addressing rally at Surendranagar
Narendra Modi at the Bharuch rally
Image courtesy: Twitter @BJP4India
Will bring Gujarat at par with the world: Modi
"Our vikaas is not just about development but it also intends to bring Gujarat at par with the global economic giants. We have a great track record for doing so," Modi said while concluding his speech in Bharuch.
Modi talks about Gujarat's achievements in fishing
"Fish production was about 5.5 lakh tonnes. But now it around 9 lakh tonnes. This has helped Gujarat become a leader in fishing industry," Modi said while talking about his government's initiatives for fishermen.
Modi woos farmers
"We revolutionised agriculture in Gujarat by bringing drip irrigation in the state," Modi said while adding that his government at the Centre has introduced many schemes for the poor like soil testing cards as well as farmer fairs. He added that the government helped farmers by the Narmada Sarovar project.
Security helps in bringing about security: Modi
"When common man gets security, then 'vikaas' can easily take place. That is why security is important. Don't you remember when there were curfews? It was the BJP which brought about security to the state," Modi said.
Modi talks about bullet train project
"I helped negotiate Rs 1 lakh crore from Japan for the bullet train free of interest. UPA could not take the discussion forward with Japan at all. I say oppose me but the Congress party crosses its limit when they oppose "vikaas'. They spent 5 decades on dviding people and promoting dynasty," Modi said.
Modi slams Congress, Ahmed Patel
"When there were floods in Banaskantha, Congress leaders were in Bengaluru to save one leader from losing a Rajya Sabha poll. That same leader is the topmost Congress leader but what did he do for Bharuch. He was unable to work for Narmada, neither did he think about ro-ro ferry," Modi said while slamming Ahmed Patel.
Narendra Modi backs tourism in Bharuch
"When the Statue of Unity will be erected in the next two years, then people will cross the roads of Bharuch to reach there. This will help tourism in the district," Modi said.
Modi repeats Vikaas matra
"Vikaas is our only path. Vikaas is only goal," says Narendra Modi.
Kutch, Bharuch grew under BJP, says Modi
"There is a high proportion of Muslim population in Kutch and Bharuch. However, it was under BJP rule that these two districts have grown tremendously," Modi said.
Congress knows to divide people, says Modi
"Congress has no reason to escape now.. They don't understand what to do now. In UP, where they used to win every time. It is a state which is the karmabhoomi of Nehru-Gandhi family. What happened in results?" Modi said while refering to the civic poll debacle. He added, "They know to change their colors. They divide brothers, divide communities."
Exercise your right to vote: Modi
"On 9 December, you can show your power. You can recreate the destiny of Gujarat by your one vote," says Modi
Narendra Modi on the stage
Images from Bharuch rally
The crowd is shouting 'Hindustan ka sher aaya'
Modi about to land in Bharuch
There is communal harmony in Godhra, says local
In Godhra too, there are Muslim pockets like Saatpul Bazar, Polan Bazar and Rani Masjid. Its nearly 52 percent Muslims live in the west and Hindus live in the east. “There is communal harmony in Godhra. Even at midnight, our women can go over to the Hindu side. It is safer than Delhi,” said Mohsin Patel, a young businessman.
Bharuch rally begins
While the Bharuch rally has begun, the gathering is waiting Narendra Modi's arrival on to the stage. Gujarat deputy chief minister Nitin Patel and Mumbai BJP MP Kirit Somaiya are also presiding over the rally.
Deputy CM Nitin Patel presiding over Bharuch rally
Home Minister Rajnath Singh arrives in Sanand
RECAP: BJP has always been a pro-Hindutva party, others trying to clone 'original', says Arun Jaitley
Taking a jibe at Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Union finance minister Arun Jaitley said on Saturday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has always been seen as a pro-Hindutva party, and suggested that now, other parties have been trying to replicate their political stance, media reports said.
"If an original is available, why would one prefer a clone?" Jaitley asked, referring to the Congress. "In 1990s, the reforms were taken under compulsion but the government under prime minister (Narendra) Modi is undertaking the reforms by conviction," he said. Speaking to the media in Surat, Gujarat, he added, "While the BJP has maintained its credibility, Congress is slowly becoming extinct," ANI reported.
Brothers-in-law set relationship aside to fight for BJP and Congress in Gujarat polls
With the ruling BJP and the Congress locked in a high-decibel battle for the Gujarat polls, two members of a family are contesting for the rival parties while keeping aside their personal relations. Jaysukh Kakadiya is contesting as a Congress candidate from Dhari Assembly segment in Amreli district, while his brother-in-law Kamlesh Kanani is the BJP's nominee from the neighbouring Savarkundla seat in the same district.
RECAP: Rahul Gandhi says Narendra Modi better actor than Amitabh Bachchan
"Narendra Modi is a 'zabardast' (excellent) actor, even better than Amitabh Bachchan. Generally, an actor has to put contact lens when he has to weep...His eyes burns and tears roll down. But Narendra Modiji does not need any contact lens for tears to roll down his eyes," Gandhi told a rally at Savarkundla.
Senior journalist tweets
Modi's predecessor: Madhavsinh Solanki
Madhavsinh Solanki was the first chief minister from a caste that later came to be counted among the OBC. His first term was of barely hundred days, during the Emergency. But in the 1980 Assembly election, he led the Congress to victory on 141 out of 182 seats. (The BJP’s best tally so far is 127.) He was the first chief minister—and the only one before Modi—to complete a full term and led the party in the next round of elections in 1985.
Read full article here
Modi visited Gujarat on 28 and 29 November
The prime minister addressed eight rallies on 27 and 29 November in Saurashtra and south Gujarat. He is again expected to visit his home state on Wednesday.
PTI
'Rahul Gandhi's Amethi model of development won't work in Gujarat': BJP
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra on Friday slammed Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, saying his "model of development" in Amethi that "lacks good roads, hospitals and infrastructure facilities", will not work in Gujarat.
Referring to the BJP's landslide victory in Uttar Pradesh civic polls on Friday, he said the party can now set the new target of winning 160 seats in Gujarat, out of the total Assembly 182 seats.
"Rahul Gandhi is adopting a strategy of negative politics and trying to introduce the 'Amethi model of development' in Gujarat. There are no pucca roads, good hospitals and infrastructure facilities in Amethi. So the 'Amethi model of development' won't work in Gujarat," the BJP leader said.
Meanwhile.. Vijay Rupani is campaigning in Surat
If bank nationalisation was Indira’s drama, he has a chance to undo it
Modi is right in saying that the progress has not been as swift as it should have been in the years that followed bank nationalisation. But, if these banks have failed to deliver, the reasons can be traced to excessive government control, resultant lack of autonomy and absence of professional managements. The short point is that If Modi is convinced that Indira Gandhi’s bank nationalisation policy was drama, this is the time for him to undo the drama and let these banks compete in a free market.
Recap: Narendra Modi lashes out at Rahul Gandhi over 'Gabbar Singh Tax' barb
In a stinging rebuttal to Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's repeated criticism of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), a key economic reform of the NDA government, Modi said a recently emerged "economist" was propagating a "grand stupid thought" by suggesting that GST rate be capped at 18 percent. Attacking Rahul for calling GST 'Gabbar Singh Tax', Modi said that those who looted the country could only think of dacoits.
Modi to inaugurate hospital in Ahmedabad
"At 5 pm this evening, will inaugurate the Shree Jogi Swami Holistic Hospital in Ahmedabad. The various efforts of the SGVP family towards serving society are commendable," Modi tweeted on Sunday.
Modi magic seems strong in Saurashtra
Talking to the people at the Morbi rally, it seemed that the hard work the BJP has put in is turning hopes into reality. BJP repeatedly keeps Modi's face in the foreground and stresses on Gujarati identity.
After being Gujarat chief minister for 13 years, these elections have become very important for Modi, who has become the country's vada pradhan. He is now leading the country after leading the BJP to victory in Gujarat for three consecutive Assembly elections. However he must once again ensure the BJP's victory in these elections as it is now a question of credibility.
Read whole article here
Recap: Vote shares in 2012 polls
According to the Election Commission of India's data on the 2012 Gujarat polls, the BJP had received 47.85 percent of the valid votes, while the Congress garnered 38.93 percent votes, a difference of 8.92 percent between the two parties.
Though there was a difference of 9 percent votes, the BJP won 115 seats and the Congress 61. The NCP and Keshubhai Patel's Gujarat Parivartan Party bagged two seats each.
Congress banks on Rahul Gandhi, caste leaders to bridge 9 percent vote share gap with BJP
The Congress in Gujarat is banking on its star campaigner Rahul Gandhi and support from a clutch of caste leaders to bridge the around nine percent vote share gap that led the BJP to retain power in 2012. However, the saffron party, which is in power in Gujarat for over two decades, is not only confident of retaining its 2012 base, but also expanding the vote share.
PTI
Farmers hope for more water from Bhadar dam
Farmers also complain of lack of water during summers. Bhadar dam, which is in Gondal, is linked to big towns. With Narmada water having reached Aaji, Gondal hopes that water from Bhadar dam would be diverted to them.
Narendra Modi takes to Twitter to announce his visit
Scuffle between BJP and Congress workers in Rajkot
Gujarat polls: Vote trends show little anti-incumbency sentiment against BJP till 2014
In the 2012 state Assembly elections, the BJP, with Narendra Modi as its chief ministerial candidate, won 115 out of 182 seats, with an average vote share of 53 percent in these seats.
In 2012, more than half the voters, or a clear majority, in constituencies where the BJP won the Assembly elections voted for the BJP, showing strong support for the party.
Women did rasta roko in Rajkot over water woes
Merely 30 kilometres from Rajkot, over a hundred women did rasta roko at Gondal just over a month ago. Gondal town gets water once in 3-4 days. But during Diwali, they didn't get water for 20 days. Women eventually lost patience and did an agitation.
Water crisis in Rajkot
There are a few areas in Rajkot which do not get tap water at all. The corporation provides tankers twice a week. But that's hardly enough. These are labourers and workers, who are then forced to procure water. Women say when the tankers arrive, fights break out.
Modi's Monday meetings
On Monday, the prime minister will be holding public meetings at Dharampur in Valsad district and later at Bhavnagar. From there he will visit other places in Saurashtra: Junagadh and Jamnagar.
Water woes in Rajkot
Water situation remains bleak in Rajkot. The well-off areas get 20 minutes of water per day. Most have drilled borewells and handpumps, but when even that goes defunct, people order tankers.
Sheila Dikshit takes a dig at Narendra Modi's visits to Gujarat
Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Saturday asked if the claim of the ruling BJP in Gujarat of having undertaken a lot of development is correct then why was Prime Minister Narendra Modi rushing off to the state practically every other day to campaign.
Addressing the media, the former three-time Delhi chief minister said that the saffron party has realised that people are in a mood to change the government and that's why Modi is paying frequent visits to the state.
Congress' poster wars in Rajkot
In Rajkot, Congress has installed pertinent posters, pointing out, for example, that Gujarat got three chief ministers in 22 years but Rajkot didn't get an AIIMS. One of the posters has Modi's photo on it, which says, "we have brought Narmada water to Rajkot's Aaji dam". A Congress poster right alongside that says "But Rajkot still gets water only 20 mins a day."
Hardik Patel rallies sees huge crowds
As opposed to Rupani, Hardik Patel's rally just a couple of days back got massive traction. People from Jamnagar, Morbi and elsewhere had spent their own money to watch him speak.
BJP releases itinerary for the day
Rupani's roadshow gets lukewarm response
On Saturday evening, Rupani held a roadshow in Rajkot that got lukewarm response. The narrow alleys of Sadhu Vasvani road had enough space to walk along. It did not seem like a sitting chief minister's roadshow.
Congress candidate giving tough fight to Rupani
A lot is at stake in Rajkot. It is a battle for pride as CM Rupani is skating on thin ice in his own constituency. His opponent Indranil Rajyaguru is giving him a hard time.
Modi to inaugurate hospital in Ahmedabad
Modi will inaugurate a hospital at the Swaminarayan Gurukul Vishwavidya Pratisthanam (SGVP). The BJP wants to make this meeting a grand event and is planning a huge rally comprising more than one lakh people. The administration and police have geared up for the event.
Modi events to be called 'Vikas Rallies'
For his two-day sojourn, the BJP has organized seven public gatherings named as 'Vikas Rallies', to stress on the ruling BJP's development plank. On Sunday, Modi will be addressing three public meetings, at Bharuch in the morning, and later at Surendranagar.
PM to hold three rallies in Gujarat today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is once again visiting his home state Gujarat on Sunday, three days after he addressed four campaign meetings for the BJP in the poll-bound state.
15:33 (IST)
BJP govt gave free gas connections and stoves to three crore poor families, says Modi
"Since 2004, we've been hearing that Rahul will get the post of Congres president. His mother is ill, she can't work, but she still is fighting for him," Modi said at another jab at the Opposition party's nomination of party president. "At that time, Congress held a press conference and there media thought they would announce their pm candidate, but instead they declared that the Congress would come to power in 2014, and when they do, instead of nine cylinders, they would give twelve cylinders of gas to the poor."
"BJP didn't give any promises of providing gas in their election campaigns, but we gave gas connections to over three crore poor families and we also gave chulhas (gas stoves) which gave poor mothers relief from toxic fumes," Modi said at the rally. This is the kind of work we do, he said, urging the audience to "show the strength of your finger on 9 December" to seal the destiny of India and Gujarat.
15:24 (IST)
As the abuse-fest gets into top gear, there’s one unanswered question: What’s in it for the voter?
Come 9 December, Gujarat will show the rest of the country if the slanging match between the Congress wearing the colours of Rahul Gandhi and the BJP in the right corner wearing the colours of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has had any effect on the voters.
With the media sitting in the front row and fanning the flames, we have been witness to several weeks of verbal battering ensuring that more than any major issues, personal insult and insinuation have been the tactics adopted by both combatants. These actions are more in keeping with the conduct of wrestlers in the WWE rather than an honourable battle.
Full analysis here
15:17 (IST)
PM lashes out against Kapil Sibal, says he wasn't able to keep his promise that "Modi will be in jail"
"Congress has a very 'able' lawyer in Kapil Sibal. He is always handling all the indefensible and wrong matters. In 2007, he held a rally in Viramgam and said after the results are out Modi will be in jail. He was very powerful in that government," Modi said at the Bhavnagar rally. "But he was not able to keep this promise, was he?" Modi exclaimed.
"I appeal to the Congress to stick to the truth. The people of Gujarat do not like poll-time lollipops and false promises of the Congress," Modi said. "I am seeing videos of Congress supporters saying, vote for Congress on 9th and 14th and then we will do 'Dadagiri' for 5 years. This is not the Gujarat that the people desire," he said at the rally.
15:13 (IST)
Fresh from Uttar Pradesh civic poll win, BJP directs newly-elected mayors to campaign in Gujarat
The BJP has won 14 out of 16 mayoral seats in civic polls in Uttar Pradesh and all the newly elected leaders will be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday to seek his blessings.
Thereafter, they will proceed to Gujarat for campaigning for the Assembly elections there on 9 and 14 December.
"The newly elected mayors will meet the prime minister over tea tomorrow in Delhi. They are all devoted party workers and will be used where ever the party needs them," BJP state general secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak told PTI.
Read more here
15:09 (IST)
Modi attacks Congress criticism against demonetisation
"The people of UP know the Congress and their leadership well. And see how they have rejected Congress repeatedly," Modi said in a barb against the Opposition party. "It has been 12 months since note ban, why are Congress party's tears not drying?" Modi asked about their criticism against demonetisation at an election rally.
"Congress better hear loud and clear, we are the born on the same land as Gandhi and Sardar Patel, so we never go back from our promises," Modi asserted at the rally. "Our promise is, whoever stole from the poor, whoever stole from the nation, they will have to give the money back!" Modi said.
14:58 (IST)
Reason for development in Gujarat is unity between Gujaratis, says PM
Modi praised the development model in Gujarat, asking the audience at the rally in Bhavnagar who was responsible for this development. The crowd immediately began to chant "Modi, Modi!" but the prime minister went on to say "Modi has been PM and CM in Gujarat, but the reason for this development is the unity between Gujaratis." "Gujarat has grown due to the power of Shanti, Ekta and Sadbhavana," he added.
14:54 (IST)
Congress learned to divide and rule from the British, says Modi
"Congress is trying to create fights between brothers, between cities and villages, between religions and castes, whatever chasms that they could create, Congress party has learned this sin from the British Raj rather well," Modi says.
14:50 (IST)
Worked hard for two decades so Gujarat wouldn't have to hang its head in shame, says Modi
"Today, I can say with pride that after two decades, I got to handle many responsibilities. Two decades is not a short time, but in this time, there has never been an incident due to which my dear Gujarat would have to hang its head," Modi said at an election rally in Bhavnagar.
14:42 (IST)
Recap: PM holds 'vikas rallies' in Bharuch, Surendranagar and Rajkot
14:35 (IST)
Meanwhile, Congress says Narendra Modi suffering from 'Rahul Gandhi-phobia', asks why is PM silent on questions raised by BJP leaders
The Congress on Monday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he is suffering from a "Rahul Gandhi-phobia" and asked why he was silent on questions being raised by his own senior party leaders.
"Why is the prime minister suffering from Rahul Gandhi phobia? Why is he so much stressed?" Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala told reporters in New Delhi ahead of party vice-president Rahul Gandhi's filing of nomination for its presidential post.
He also said that Modi's "love for Shehzad (Poonawalla), shahzada (BJP chief Amit Shah's son Jai Shah) and shourya (National Security Advisor Ajit Doval's son)" is well known to the world.
Read more here
14:30 (IST)
Modi begins addressing an election rally in Bhavnagar, watch it live here:
14:29 (IST)
Visuals from Narendra Modi's rally in Dharampur
14:25 (IST)
Modi slams Rahul Gandhi's elevation as Congress president, calls it 'Aurangzebi raj'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed Rahul Gandhi's expected elevation as Congress president, dubbing it as "Aurangzebi raj".
Taking potshots at the opposition party, the prime minister said, "Mani Shanker Aiyar who was a minister in Congress government said 'did elections happen during Mughal rule? After Jahangir, Shahjahan came, was any election held? After Shahjahan it was understood that Aurangzeb would be the leader.'
"Does the Congress accept that it is a family party? We don't want this Aurangzeb rule," Modi said in Dharampur. —PTI
13:59 (IST)
Huge crowd at Hardik Patel's Surat rally
13:33 (IST)
Congress spreading disinformation against BJP, says Modi
13:30 (IST)
Mani Shankar Aiyer clarifies his statement
13:24 (IST)
Narendra Modi targets Congress over secularism
"Why has the Congress stopped saying BJP is anti-Muslim? Earlier, they would go out of the way to show their secularism but now we are all seeing what they are doing in this election, where they are going. Unfortunately for them, Muslims know their real nature," Modi said in Dharampur.
13:21 (IST)
Congress is anti-OBC, says Modi
"Why did the Congress not give Constitutional Status to the OBC Commission? We got a bill but when we did so, they stalled it in the Rajya Sabha. This anti-OBC Congress should be severely punished by the people," says Modi.
13:19 (IST)
Congress ignored tribal welfare, claims Modi
"Not only did the Congress ignore the healthcare infrastructure in tribal areas, there was no arrangements for ambulances. We changed both these things- today there are better healthcare services and the 108 ambulance service is active," said the prime minister.
13:12 (IST)
Follow our LIVE blog on Rahul Gandhi's elevation to Congress presidency here.
13:06 (IST)
Modi concludes speech
"Help us win the Gujarat polls with over 150 seats," Modi urges the gathering while concluding his speech.
13:03 (IST)
Modi reiterates his anti-corruption credentials
"Have you ever read that I have eaten so much (corruption). Have you read that any of my relatives have indulged any corruption?" Modi asked the gathering. Their (Congress leaders) headlines are.. '2 lakh crore 2G case, 1 lakh crore in coal scam.. so and so in submarine scam'. These news were in newspaper But from my end, there were reports like "how much money came to India," Modi said while reiterating his anti-corruption credentials.
12:59 (IST)
Congress is anti-OBC, claims Modi
"These people talk a lot of OBCs.. but i want to tell the OBCs of south Gujarat that Congress is lying and renegading on promises. Our MP met Manmohan Singh on giving constitutional status to OBC commission but nothing came out of it," Modi said in Dharmapur.
12:56 (IST)
The Manishankar Aiyer comment which Modi referred to
12:55 (IST)
Modi invokes Sardar Patel and Morarji Desai
"You could not even handle Kashmir. But Sardar did yeomen service by unifying all rajas in India. Morarji fought for Prime Ministership. But he was jailed and thrown out like dirt," Modi said while slamming dynasty politics in Congress.
12:48 (IST)
Modi defends note ban
Modi asks crowd whether they were angry because of demonetisation.. The crowd shouts "no'. "It is only Congress which is angry due to the note ban as they have lost their opportunity to loot the poor in India. They cry because I have acted against them. I am here for the poor. Every money in India is for the poor, adivasis, Dalits, farmers and workers," Modi said while defending note ban.
12:45 (IST)
Congress loves insulting Gujaratis
"Do these people defame UP, Bihar, Rajasthan and WB? But Congress used to defame and insult Gujarat. Every Congress leader usued to at least insult Gujarat once in a day," Modi said in the Dharmapur rally.
12:36 (IST)
Modi congratulates Congress for 'Aurangazeb raj'
"Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyer had said "Jab jahangir ke jagah pe Shahjahan aye the tab elections hua tha kya?" It has been decided that the queen's son will be made the leader. Congress itself believes that it is not a party but a cotorie.. For them, if they come to power, it means a dynast is coming to power. This "Aurangazeb raj" is god for them," Modi said while mocking Congress presidential elections. For me the 125 crore Indians ar emy high command, added Modi.
12:33 (IST)
Those out on bail now want to lead party, says Modi
"Those people who are on bail..the court has asked a case to be filed against them. Congress party has been forced to make him the president.. Congress has become bankrupt. They have nothing left now.." Modi said while targetting Rahul Gandhi.
12:32 (IST)
Teach Congress a lesson on 9 December, says Modi
"On 9 December, you have to decide the destiny of Gujarat.. The vote is against those who hate Guajrati people, Gujarat state, its name itself. 9 December is the date when you can teach a lesson to these people who are defaming Gujarat," Modi said.
12:21 (IST)
Narendra Modi is speaking at Dharampur rally
12:18 (IST)
Bharatsinh Solanki condemns attack on Congress candidates
12:14 (IST)
Why the Gujarat deal is a chimera
While legal luminary and Congress leader Kapil Sibal, who brokered the deal with Hardik, did not disclose its details, the 24-year-old Patidar leader claimed that it would be carried out under Articles 31B and 46 of the Constitution.
Taking recourse to Article 31B means passing a law to raise reservation level to include Patidars and then parking that legislation in the Constitution’s Ninth Schedule where it is presumed to be safe from judicial hurdles. In theory this can happen, but there are three big Ifs:
It can only happen
1) if the Congress wins Gujarat elections to pass a bill that will bless Patidars with reservations;
2) if the Modi government then agrees to keep that law in the Ninth Schedule and
3) if the Supreme Court agrees that such a law in Ninth Schedule is really beyond a judicial review.
12:10 (IST)
Hardik Patel’s quota ‘deal’ is a cruel joke, but stirs up caste frenzy in other states
Past verdicts of the Supreme Court as well as various high courts, however, make it evident that the Congress is fooling Hardik. Or possibly, Hardik, too naive to understand the legal hassles of raising reservation levels, is fooling himself. Or he is fooling his community.
Even as Congress leaders and Hardik live in a fool’s paradise, beating tambourines and singing paeans to each other, their so-called deal is getting the adrenaline of backward class reservations going in other states.
12:07 (IST)
Modi to be in Gujarat between 6 and 9 December
6 December
Dhandhuka : 09:30 am
Dahod : 12:00 noon
Netrang : 02:00 pm
Surat : 06:00 pm
8 December
Bhabhar : 11:00 am
Kalol : 12:30 pm
Himatnagar: 02:30 pm
Vatva : 04:00 pm
9 December
Lunavada : 09:30 am
Bodeli : 11:00 am
Anand : 12:00 noon
Mehsana : 03:00 pm
12:01 (IST)
Modi to be in Dharmapur soon
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left Surat to Dharampur, reported Financial Express. Modi will be addressing a public meeting at Malanpada.
11:49 (IST)
Modi invokes Sardar Patel, Morarji to slam party rigging
Narendra Modi went on to claim that rigging was a practice in the Congress party. "Sardar Patel got more votes than Jawaharlal Nehru when the Congress party had (then) met to decide who would be the prime minster of the country. But that election was rigged and Nehru won," he alleged. This is what happened with Morarji Desai, too, Modi said.
PTI
11:46 (IST)
RECAP: Modi mocks 'rigged' Congress presidential polls
Mocking the Congress over the upcoming election of its president, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday alleged the party had a history of rigging organisational polls. The outcome of the election to the top post in the Congress was a foregone conclusion, Modi said while addressing a rally in Gujarat's Surendranagar district.
11:39 (IST)
A bit about the SAUNI project
Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation (SAUNI) Yojana aims to fill 115 dams in Saurashtra through a network of pipelines that would channelise floodwater from the Sardar Sarovar Dam. The project is a work in progress and the deadline is reportedly end of 2019. The network of pipelines includes four links, one of which originates from Dholi Dhaja Dam in Surendranagar and ends at Venu I dam in Upleta taluka of Rajkot district, pumping water in 28 dams along its length of 245 kilometres.
11:36 (IST)
Modi slams Congress over 'chaiwala' jibe
Referring to the meme tweeted by the Youth Congress, Modi said the Congress was using abusive language against him. "It is their 'sanskar' (values). I have not studied in an English medium school but in a government school where they taught me how to lead life," Modi said in Surendranagar.
"From those lessons, I have learnt that 125 crore people of the country are my God and I am their priest. I will continue to work for 'sabka sath, sabka vikas'," the prime minister said.
11:26 (IST)
BJP Gujarat unit tweets video showcasing Gujarat's world class economic development
11:24 (IST)
Meanwhile.. Amit Shah to campaign in Tapi, Surat and Navsari
11:20 (IST)
RECAP: Rajnath Singh says 'Gujarat model' helped BJP win 2014 polls
Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that the BJP formed government at the Centre because of the Gujarat model of development and that the people of the country had already answered the questions of Rahul Gandhi by giving it a mandate in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
Hitting out at Gandhi over his "a question a day" social media campaign, Singh said he should first tell why India remained poor despite the Congress ruling it for 50-55 years.
At a public rally in Sanand, Singh said, "The Congress leader (Rahul) asks what did the BJP government do in 22 years of its rule? What the BJP government has done in 22 years has been answered by the people of India during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections."
10:37 (IST)
Meanwhile.. Smriti Irani campaigned in Surat on Sunday
10:34 (IST)
10:29 (IST)
10:14 (IST)
PM tweets on his today's rallies in Gujarat
10:12 (IST)
Meanwhile.. Rahul Gandhi tweets his sixth question in as many days
Rahul Gandhi asks why the salaries of fixed and contractual workers in Gujarat is still Rs 5,500 and Rs 10,000 when the seventh pay commission pegs their salaries at Rs 18,000.
10:06 (IST)
RECAP: Prime minister questions Congress' intolerance against Shahzad Poonawala
"There is a man named Shahzad. He has asked a question to the 'shehzaada'," Modi said in reference to the Congress leader’s letters to Rahul. "They are getting publicly embarrased by a Congress leader. They spoke so much about tolerance that they have released a 'fatwa' that Shahzad should be removed from every WhatsApp group that he is in. This is the same party that cries of intolerance," he said.
10:00 (IST)
RECAP: Modi slams Opposition parties
At a rally in Rajkot later in the day, the prime minister continued his attack against the Opposition. "India's rise in the world stage has rattled many. They are going out of the way to discredit the rankings. Yes, that is fine but will they also discredit the people of UP who have rejected them comprehensively," Modi said, referring to Congress dismissing the improvement in 'Ease of doing business' and Moody rankings.