Modi ends Gujarat campaign with tweets on seaplane ride, appeals for record vote

PM Modi has posted a series of tweets, attacking the Congress for questioning his seaplane ride, and appealing to voters in his home state to vote in record numbers on Thursday.

IndiaToday.in  | Posted by Pranav Dixit
New Delhi, December 12, 2017 | UPDATED 18:20 IST

Highlights

  • 1
    PM Modi posted tweets attacking Congress for questioning his seaplane ride.
  • 2
    He appealed voters in his home state to vote in record numbers on Thursday.
  • 3
    Modi said, the ride adds strength to our resolve to harness waterways for India's progress.

Shortly before the deadline for campaigning in the high-stakes Gujarat Assembly election ended at 5 pm today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted a series of tweets, attacking the Congress for questioning his seaplane ride, and appealing to voters in his home state to vote in record numbers on Thursday.

"Earlier today, I travelled on a seaplane from Ahmedabad's Sabarmati River to Dharoi Dam, taking off and landing on water. This experience was unique. It adds strength to our resolve to harness waterways for India's progress," Modi tweeted without naming the Congress, which has called it a "hawa-hawai" ride.

"They did not understand development. It is called Hawa Hawai," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala had tweeted earlier in the day, shortly after Modi's seaplane ride from Sabarmati river front in Ahmedabad to Dharoi Dam in Mehsana.

"Effective use of waterways augurs well for tourism. Places like Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, our vibrant North East, places with many water bodies, big dams, waterways will benefit with usage of seaplanes. More tourism also brings greater economic opportunities," Modi posted.

Modi said seaplane services can also be helpful during times of medical emergencies. "Those needing even quicker access to medical care and those living in remote areas stand to gain a lot," he said.

Accusing the opposition Congress of lying about him as well as Gujarat, Modi said, "The lies that our worthy opponents have spread, about Gujarat, Gujarat's growth and about me personally is something I had never imagined."

"It is natural for every Gujarati to feel hurt. People of Gujarat will give a fitting reply to the negativity and lies of the opposition," he added.

"I am devoting my life for the betterment of crores of people of Gujarat and India. Have been fortunate to always get your blessings. I am sure you will continue to bless us in these elections too by voting for BJP," he wrote, appealing the voters to vote in "record numbers on the 14th".

"I urge my sisters and brothers of Gujarat to vote in record numbers on the 14th. I call upon the people of Gujarat to not only give the BJP an overwhelming majority but also ensure that BJP wins in every polling booth across the state," Modi tweeted.

Gujarat will vote on Thursday in the second phase of the election, which, the Congress hopes, will end the BJP's 22-year rule in the state. The votes will be counted on December 18.

WATCH | PM Modi becomes the first passenger to travel in the first ever seaplane in India