Narendra Modi in Gujarat Day 2 updates: Congress learned to 'divide and rule' from British Raj, says PM

Modi was welcomed with chants of ‘Bharat mata ki _jai_’ in Bhavnagar

ભાવનગર ખાતેની જનસભામાં 'ભારત માતા કી જય' ના જયઘોષ સાથે વડાપ્રધાન શ્રી @narendramodi જીને આવકારતી વિશાળ જનમેદની #ModiWaveInGujarat pic.twitter.com/9SEP8ZCiDV

— BJP Gujarat (@BJP4Gujarat) December 4, 2017

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

**Recap: PM holds ‘**vikas rallies’ in Bharuch, Surendranagar and Rajkot  

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.

Modi begins addressing an election rally in Bhavnagar, watch it live here: 

Visuals from Narendra Modi’s rally in Dharampur

Glimpses of PM Shri @narendramodi's public rally in Dharampur, Gujarat. https://t.co/OkxrdVMq6P #ModiWaveInGujarat pic.twitter.com/wRedRqrXb8

— BJP (@BJP4India) December 4, 2017

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

Huge crowd at Hardik Patel’s Surat rally

#Visuals from Hardik Patel's rally in Surat last night #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/qlrVLwOWNe

— ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2017

Congress spreading disinformation against BJP, says Modi

Disinformation like BJP does this and that against Muslims has been spread. This family party made it their main agenda to spread disinformation about BJP. But Gujarat people are not so naive, they have now become sensitive and aware to disinformation: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/2T2AlfIrfp

— ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2017

Mani Shankar Aiyer clarifies his statement 

Don't compare both, during Mughal rule it was understood that after Jehangir, Shahjahan will be the leader but here anyone is free to contest against Rahul Gandhi, its a totally democratic process: Mani Shankar Aiyar,Congress pic.twitter.com/Qugs6rGhz3

— ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2017

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

Mani Shankar Aiyar does it, again! Compares Congress rule with Mughal Raj! pic.twitter.com/irijmGjWbY

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) December 4, 2017

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

I condemn the attack on the Dinyanil Rajyaguru brother of Indranil Rajyaguru, @INCGujarat Candidate against CM Rupani.

Fearing defeat of CM Police has also arrested Indranil Rajyaguru & @SATAVRAJEEV late night, without giving any reason.

विनाश काले विपरीत बुद्धि।

— Bharat Solanki (@BharatSolankee) December 3, 2017

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.

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.

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

વિશ્વને પોતાના તરફ આકર્ષતું ચુંબક એટલે મારું ગુજરાત.
જીતશે વિકાસ, જીતશે ગુજરાત pic.twitter.com/ydGAkUzIzo

— BJP Gujarat (@BJP4Gujarat) December 4, 2017

Meanwhile.. Amit Shah to campaign in Tapi, Surat and Navsari

भारतीय जनता पार्टी के राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष श्री अमित शाह आज गुजरात के व्यारा, बारडोली, मारोली और गांदेवी में जनसभाओं को संबोधित करेंगे। लाइव https://t.co/vpP0MInUi4 और https://t.co/jtwD1z6SKE देखें पर। pic.twitter.com/nzAC421BiH

— BJP (@BJP4India) December 4, 2017

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

Overwhelmed by the warmth and affection of people of Katargam in Surat North Vidhansabha. Thank you for your continued support to @BJP4Gujarat. pic.twitter.com/WIPCpEuwn4

— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) December 3, 2017

RECAP: Modi mocks Rahul over crony capitalism jibe

Making a veiled reference to Gandhi, he said, “One leader during his speech said Modi gave 48,000 crore acres of land to an industrialist. The area he is talking about is three times the size of land available on the earth. I don’t know what to do… to laugh or cry.”

The prime minister said, “What can you expect from the Congress” when the person expected to lead the party cannot understand such basic things.

PTI

RECAP: ‘Rashtrabhakti’ drove us to help people belonging to all faiths

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said “rashtrabhakti” motivated him and his government to help people of various faiths, including Christians, and dubbed as “fatwa” a letter issued by Gandhinagar archbishop.

The prime minister was referring to the letter issued last month by Thomas Macwan, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar, in which he had appealed to Christians to pray to save the country from “nationalist forces”.

“I was shocked to see a religious person releasing a ‘fatwa’ (diktat) saying uproot the nationalist forces. It is ‘Rashtrabhakti’ (nationalism) that guides us to help every Indian in any part of the world,” Modi said.

PTI

PM tweets on his today’s rallies in Gujarat

Will continue the campaign across Gujarat. Looking forward to addressing rallies in Dharampur, Bhavnagar, Junagadh and Jamnagar.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 4, 2017

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. 

22 सालों का हिसाब#गुजरात_मांगे_जवाब

प्रधानमंत्रीजी- 6ठा सवाल:

भाजपा की दोहरी मार
एक तरफ युवा बेरोजगार
दूसरी तरफ़ लाखों
फिक्स पगार और कांट्रैक्ट कर्मचारी बेज़ार

7वें वेतन आयोग में ₹18000 मासिक होने के बावजूद फिक्स और कांट्रैक्ट पगार ₹5500 और ₹10000 क्यों? pic.twitter.com/KngeBgLlVp

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 4, 2017

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

प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी आज गुजरात के धरमपुर, भावनगर, जूनागढ़ और जामनगर में चुनावी जनसभाओं को सम्बोधित करेंगे। लाइव देखें https://t.co/vpP0MInUi4 || https://t.co/jtwD1z6SKE पर। लाइव सुनने के लिए डायल करें 022-45014501 pic.twitter.com/rFLvgp7ToE

— BJP (@BJP4India) December 4, 2017

Updates for 4 December begin

Govt found out about 2.5 lakh shell companies due to note ban, says Modi 

“When Rajiv Gandhi was the prime minister, he said that if one rupee comes from Delhi for the welfare of the downtrodden, only 15 paise thereof actually reach those persons for whom it is meant. Then tell me, which paws were grabbing at this money?” Modi asks at Rajkot rally.

“What was being sold for Rs 2 lakhs in the Congress rule, is now being sold in Rs 30,000 due to the regulations we put in due to our concerns for the people,” Modi said about stents getting cheaper due to the Centre’s efforts. “The whole Congress party is crying now, Modi did note ban, Modi did note ban, it has been 12 months now! People who are grieving for their deceased son also get back to work in this much time,” Modi said about the Opposition’s criticism against demonetisation.

“We also shut down 2.5 lakh shell companies,” Modi said at the rally, adding that Congress did not have any breath to ask about these developments. “We found out about these companies due to the note bans,” Modi asserted. “Whoever stole from the poor, and Congress listen to me carefully, whoever stole from the poor will have to give the money back!” Modi added. “Congress leaders are in tears due to demonetisation. That is because they have lost all that they had looted from the poor,” he added.

BJP has performed better than previous Congress governments in Gujarat 

“In every indicator be it health, education, agriculture the progress of Gujarat under BJP has been better than under previous Congress governments in the state,” Modi said, according to ANI

Will Congress also discredit people of Uttar Pradesh who have rejected them, Modi asks in Rajkot

“India’s rise on 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 Uttar Pradesh who have rejected them comprehensively?” Modi said in a jab at Congress. 

“Be it corruption, casteism, communalism or nepotism, it is the Congress which is associated with these evils. The youth are not ready to accept the Congress,” Modi said at the rally in Rajkot.

Modi speaks of Ease of doing business, Moody rankings, says world noticed hard work gets more results than Harvard

Modi said at a rally in Rajkot that India has had a history of having highly educated leaders, from the likes of Harvard. In contrast, Modi said that he was just from the college of ‘hard work.’ He went on to say that the world has noticed that hard work gets more results than Harvard. 

To qualify the statement, he said that the world bank issued the ease of doing business rankings, where India used to be on the 123 rank. “After three years of hard work, and because of clear policies for the betterment of the nation, the result was such that India leapt to rank 100,” Modi said at the rally. The world taking notice and studying this phenomenon, Modi said. He also spoke about the Moody ranking, saying that after 14 years, the ranking improved. “Once the rankings improve, the financial world will take notice of our nation,” Modi said.

India is being praised across the world because public elected govt with majority 

“Across the world, India is being praised, isn’t it?” Modi said, adding that India is being noticed by the US, Germany and England alike. “What is the reason?” Modi questioned, with the crowd screaming Modi. “Brothers and sisters, the reason is not Modi. It is because, after 30 years, this nation’s people elected a government with a majority.” “This praise is being showered, not because of Modi, but because of you.” Modi asserted. “Imagine the heights of development which India is reaching,” Modi said.

Narendra Modi addresses public meeting in Rajkot

Narendra Modi recalls Shree Jogi Swami SGVP Holistic Hospital inauguration on Twitter

Inaugurated the Shree Jogi Swami Holistic Hospital in Ahmedabad. I appreciate the SGVP family for creating a state-of-the-art hospital. Spoke about our Government’s initiatives to make healthcare more accessible and affordable. https://t.co/rMicO7Hp32

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 3, 2017

Narendra Modi mocks Congress’ presidential election, says party has a history of rigging organisational 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.

“If you do not have democracy in your home (party) how can you practise it in the country,” Modi asked.

Ivanka Trump shocked by India’s maternal leave policy 

Modi said that he discussed maternal leave policies with US president Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka in Hyderabad. Modi says that when he told her that in India, women get six months maternal leave, she was shocked. In the US, even today, women don’t get 6 months maternal leave like women do, he said.

It is our desh bhakti that makes government bring Indian who are in trouble across the world back to India, says Modi 

“It is my desh bhakti that makes sure that if any Indian is in trouble across the world, we help them. You can see it on the Twitter account of (External affairs minister) Sushma Swaraj, how even an Indian in Pakistan got help for visa. This is our desh bhakti, our humanity.” Modi said in a speech in Ahmedabad. “Have you seen how active Sushma Swaraj ji is? Guided by humanitarian values, she is serving so many people in need- they can be in any part of the world but she helps them,” he said.

“I want to tell the people through this platform, 3,858 Indians were in jail across the world, it was desh bhakti that made us negotiate to get these people back in India…we have rescued over 1,400 fishermen in this way as well.” Modi added about the government’s efforts for the Indian diaspora. 

“Nurses from Kerala who worked in Saudi, when they were caught by terrorists, how could the prime minister sleep, how could the citizens sleep? I am telling on this sacred land that we got these daughters back to India alive,” Modi added. He also spoke of how five people were given death sentence in Sri Lanka, but using their connections, the government got these people “away from the noose” and got them back to Tamil Nadu alive. He also spoke of the cases of Father Tom, Father Prem and Judith D’Souza. “It is our ’nationalism’ that made us get Father Tom and Father Prem back. When Judith D’Souza was kidnapped, we once again did whatever we could to bring this daughter of India back,” Modi said.

The three areas of Yoga, Ayurveda and Allopathy have been merged in this hospital, which is a commendable initiative, Narendra Modi says about Shree Jogi Swami SGVP Holistic Hospital

Modi endorses practice of yoga, ayurveda in Ahmedabad

Ayurveda facilities should be available in every district in India, that is our government’s aim, Modi said in Ahmedabad. He also spoke of the Centre’s efforts to celebrate Yoga Day. “Today, yoga has been accepted in the world. UN accepted my proposal to celebrate International Yoga Day and today the whole world celebrates Yoga Day 21 June,” he said at the gathering.

“Lack of healthcare facilities affects the poor adversely. We want to change that and that is why we made stents cheaper,” Modi said at the event adding that generic drugs and other such medicine were also made cheaper. “Due to this, the blessings from poor people is giving me the energy and will to run for office.”

Modi speaks after inaugurating Shree Jogi Swami SGVP Holistic Hospital in Ahmedabad

Narendra Modi takes jab at Congress, reminds party of its defeat in Uttar Pradesh civic polls 

Training his guns against the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reminded the party of its defeat in the local body polls in Uttar Pradesh.

“In Uttar Pradesh, where the Congress ruled for decades, the state from where generations of top Congress leaders belong…we saw what happened there in the local elections. Congress was wiped out. UP knows the Congress well and so does Gujarat,” Modi said in his rally in Gujarat’s Bharuch.

Sharpening his attack on the Congress, Modi accused the opposition party of seeking to divide society on the basis of caste and religion.

Resuming his campaign in his home state, where the first phase of Assembly elections is to be held on 9 December, Modi lashed out at the Congress, saying that it wanted to create “walls between brothers”.

Read more here

Meanwhile, AK Joti, Chief Election Commissioner of India says VVPAT machines will be used along with EVMs in all constituencies in Gujarat 

VVPAT machines will be used along with EVMs in all 50,264 voting booths of 182 constituencies in state: AK Joti, Chief Election Commissioner of India in Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/08ZoilanOL

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017

Visuals of Modi inaugurating Shri Jogiswami SGVP Hospital in Ahmedabad

અમદાવાદ ખાતે SGVP હોસ્પિટલનું લોકલાડીલા વડાપ્રધાન શ્રી @narendramodi ના હસ્તે થયું લોકાર્પણ #Gujarat4Vikas pic.twitter.com/bKHxOI0usm

— BJP Gujarat (@BJP4Gujarat) December 3, 2017

Narendra Modi inaugurates Shri Jogiswami SGVP Hospital in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Watch Live here : 

PM Modi inaugurates Shri Jogiswami SGVP Hospital in Ahmedabad, Gujarat https://t.co/JwimJqu1Xk

— BJP Gujarat (@BJP4Gujarat) December 3, 2017

Visuals from Narendra Modi’s rallies in Bharuch and Surendranagar

ભરૂચ અને સુરેન્દ્રનગરમાં સભાઓ સંબોધિત કરી. ગુજરાતની જનતાને અપાર સ્નેહ માટે ખૂબ ખૂબ આભાર. @BJP4Gujarat pic.twitter.com/1XOrKGy7n8

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 3, 2017

Pictures from PM Shri @narendramodi's rally in Bharuch, Gujarat. Watch https://t.co/KDNty62GBz #Gujarat4Vikas pic.twitter.com/NEJ7TRid3Z

— BJP (@BJP4India) December 3, 2017

Glimpses of PM Shri @narendramodi's rally in Surendranagar, Gujarat. Watch full speech at https://t.co/VeltcTokhT #Gujarat4Vikas pic.twitter.com/y585YlESDb

— BJP (@BJP4India) December 3, 2017

Narendra Modi on Surendranagar rally 

Modi also took to Twitter to speak about his election rally in Surendranagar district in Gujarat. “In Surendranagar, elaborated on the efforts of the BJP Governments over the last two decades to improve the water situation in Saurashtra, which has significantly helped our hardworking farmers,” he said on Twitter. He also shared a video on his assertions about the Uttar Pradesh civic polls, the Gujarat elections and the election for Congress President. 

In Surendranagar, elaborated on the efforts of the BJP Governments over the last two decades to improve the water situation in Saurashtra, which has significantly helped our hardworking farmers. pic.twitter.com/WvtIRZ9paI

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 3, 2017

A few days ago I had said three things- for Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and the Congress. Since then, UP has voted BJP and the rigging in Congress Presidential elections has come to the fore. In a few days, what I said about BJP winning Gujarat will also come true. pic.twitter.com/q3EW0IcdPL

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 3, 2017

Narendra Modi tweets about his rally in Bharuch 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared highlights of his first rally of the day in Bharuch, saying that he was overwhelmed by the phenomenal support for BJP in the rallies. He also pointed out that he highlighted the “positive impact” that the Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train will make in the area. 

Claiming that Congress ignored the Bharuch and Kutch, ones which have a significant Muslim population, Modi said that they are now among the fastest growing districts in Gujarat. “Bharuch and Kutch districts have significant Muslim population. Congress ignored these districts but now they are among the fastest growing districts in Gujarat. BJP’s governance is inclusive and development oriented,” he said on the micro-blogging website. 

Seeing phenomenal support for BJP in Bharuch and Surendranagar, where I addressed rallies today. pic.twitter.com/PYhcUEBkot

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 3, 2017

In Bharuch, highlighted the positive difference the Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train will make for the district. The project will boost employment and give impetus to our industries. pic.twitter.com/yUsYOvsn0x

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 3, 2017

Bharuch and Kutch districts have significant Muslim population. Congress ignored these districts but now they are among the fastest growing districts in Gujarat. BJP’s governance is inclusive and development oriented.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 3, 2017

PM says those opposing bullet train project can take bullock carts

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said those opposing the bullet train project should travel on bullock carts.

Modi made the comment while lashing out at the Congress for its criticism of the Rs 1.1 lakh crore project — which he said was “a negligible price” — connecting Ahmedabad and Mumbai and to be built by Japan.

Meanwhile, Shehzad Poonawalla speaks out against Congress

Just a few moments after Narendra Modi questioned the Congress party’s treatment of Shehzad Poonawalla, Shehzad spoke out against the party. He said “If Sardar Patel was insulted by Congress leadership back then, then I feel the same way today.” According to ANI, Poonawala claimed that when he raised his voice to end dynasty politics, Congress said he was no longer a member of the party

If Sardar Patel was insulted by Congress leadership back then, then I feel the same way today.When I raised my voice to end dynasty politics&election for Pres post&,not coronation of Rahul Gandhi,then they (Congress)said I was not member.I proved that they lied:Shehzad Poonawalla pic.twitter.com/TZKffcfmPP

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017

“125 crore Indians are my Gods and I am serving them,” says Modi 

“The biggest disservice to Gujarat by the Congress was to divide communities. Congress ensured that people who were amicable before were divided,” Modi said in an attack to the Opposition party. “We (BJP) set vote-bank politics aside, we kept religion aside, and we walked together on the road to development instead,” he said. “125 crore Indians are my Gods and I am only serving them,” he added. “I give all the BJP workers in Gujarat blessings with the chant of ‘Bharat Mata ki jai’” he said, concluding his second election rally for the day.

Modi says development model already showing results in south Gujarat 

“We have given priority to make this land filled with water in our Gujarat model,” Modi said at the rally, continuing his focus on water issues the district has faced over the years. “Look at the results of development due to its reach, today the cotton production has gone four times. Production of groundnut was 10 million tonnes. There is no area of development we have stayed away from,” he said.

“Water scarcity in Surendranagar is now history,” says Modi

“In Surendranagar district, I am asking my sisters, tell me the truth. Weren’t there major issues with water? Didn’t you have to walk kilometers heaving matlas (earthen pots) to get water? Didn’t you have to dig deep borewells?” the prime minister asked. “But water scarcity in Surendranagar is now history! The BJP has got the Narmada waters here and helped farmers,” he said. “A whole river was diverted by a miracle and was given water. Due to this, I saw when I was coming here by helicopter that Surendranagar was completely green! When I see that the whole district today is green, it makes me proud of the successful development model,” Modi said.

Modi slams Congress, says Emergency is example of the party’s history of lack of ‘internal democracy’

“It was the Congress which made the nation a prison for 19 months.” Modi exclaimed, referring to the Emergency. “Just to save her seat, Indira ji made the nation a prison, Media had to ask Indira ji before publishing something. Even Kishore Kumar’s songs were banned on radio as he spoke against her! So, what the youngster Shehzad is saying is not unusual it is the Congress culture.” Modi said at the Surendranagar rally. “Those who have no internal democracy can’t work for people. I want to tell this youngster Shehzad, you have done a brave thing but this is sadly what has always happened in the Congress,” he added.

Narendra Modi questions Congress’s treatment of Shehzad Poonawalla’s letters to Rahul Gandhi

“A few days back at a rally in Navsari I had said there are three polls whose results are definitely certain,” Modi said, speaking of the Uttar Pradesh civic polls, the Gujarat elections and the election for the Congress President. “I said BJP will win by a landslide and Congress will be nowhere in the UP polls.”

“Second, I said that in Gujarat polls, the Gujarat public will press the button on the EVMs and give Congress a strong answer, unlike ever seen in the of history elections,” Modi asserted. “The third prediction I made was the in the Congress party, there is an election for the Congress president, I vowed that the Congress President election will be such where only one family will win.” 

“There is a man named Shahzad, he has asked a question to the ‘shehzaada’,” Modi said in reference to Congress leader Shehzad Poonawalla’s letters to Rahul Gandhi . “They are getting publicly embarrased by a Congress leader! They spoke so much about tolerance that they have released a ‘fatwa’ that whichever Whatsapp group Shahzad is in, he should be removed! In the same party, when a responsible leader raised questions, the same party that sings of tolerance releases fatwas!” he said.

Visuals of Modi election rally​ in Surendranagar

વડાપ્રધાન શ્રી @narendramodi નું ફુલહારથી સ્વાગત #Gujarat4Vikas pic.twitter.com/Vt7w3frjDs

— BJP Gujarat (@BJP4Gujarat) December 3, 2017

Narendra Modi begins addressing rally at Surendranagar

Vijay Rupani addresses Surendranagar rally, stresses on BJP’s development plank

“Development and Modi are synonymous with each other.” Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani said at a rally in Surendranagar district. “Gujarat is a role model for ‘vikas,’” he added saying that Modi is a “vikas purush(development man).”  He said that development on the mind of the people in Gujarat  and Modi has made his mark with regard to this promise. 

Rupani also targeted the Congress party, saying that BJP has “cleared the roots of Congress” in the state. He told the audience that the last nail in the coffin of Congress in Gujarat would be hammered by BJP together with the people. He also claimed that Congress ruled Gujarat for over 45 years, but they never developed the state, only choosing to indulge in vote-bank politics and amassing power. He concluded by saying that it was the BJP and Narendra Modi who implemented the Gujarat Model in the state in the past 17 years. 

આપણે કોંગ્રેસના મૂળિયાં સાફ કરી નાખ્યા છે. કોંગ્રેસની કબરને છેલ્લો ખીલ્લો આપણે સાથે મળીને ઠોકવાનો છે. - શ્રી @vijayrupanibjp pic.twitter.com/eUQuqUuNsV

— BJP Gujarat (@BJP4Gujarat) December 3, 2017

Meanwhile, Amit Shah addresses public meeting at a Mahuva, Bhavnagar; slams Opposition for questioning surgical strikes 

The BJP president spoke of the surgical strikes, saying “When the Uri terror attack took place, anger was brewing in the entire nation. Everyone thought the prime minister would give a statement and things will get.”

“But this time it wasn’t the government of Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh, it was a government chosen by you,” he said to the audience in Gujarat in a direct attack at the Opposition party. He also slammed Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s suspicions about the surgical strikes, which he said was revenge for the Uri attack and the exercise by the Indian army “left Pakistan red-faced. “Rahul Gandhi was demanding proof. He was asking, who saw the surgical strikes taking place? Rahul bhai, please respect the honour and valour of our jawans guarding the borders!” Shah said at the rally according to ANI. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address rally at Surendranagar soon, likely to give speech at 3.30

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

વડાપ્રધાન શ્રી @narendramodi જી ટૂંક સમયમાં ભરૂચ ખાતે ઉપસ્થિત વિશાળ જનસભાને સંબોધન કરશે #Gujarat4Vikashttps://t.co/32ceCDwe8K pic.twitter.com/A9muhpqVel

— BJP Gujarat (@BJP4Gujarat) December 3, 2017

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

Senior BJP leader and Home minister Rajnath Singh arrives in Sanand, Ahmedabad to address a public meeting. #GujaratElections @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/ZsIeXS8O9g

— parimal dabhi (@parimaldabhi) December 3, 2017

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

AICC secretary and MP @SATAVRAJEEV arrested by Rajkot police. He went to see Indranil Rajguru, congress candidate against Vijay Rupani. He was allegedly manhandled by Gujarat police. Tense in Rajkot.

— Amey Tirodkar (@ameytirodkar) December 2, 2017

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

Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani campaigning in Surat #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/HDhnEZz6Ec

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017

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

Will be addressing rallies in Bharuch, Surendranagar and Rajkot today. @BJP4Gujarat

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 3, 2017

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.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 3, 2017

Scuffle between BJP and Congress workers in Rajkot

Scuffle between #BJP and #Congress workers in #Rajkot late last night over vandalization of a Congress candidate's poster #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/TI225xq9MY

— ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017

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.

Manmohan Singh says China benefited from demonetisation, GST

In a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his predecessor Manmohan Singh on Saturday said Modi failed to understand the “pains” of his note ban and GST decisions were going to unleash on the people of his own home state.

Calling demonetisation an “uninformed, half-baked crusade” and GST a “badly designed and hastily implemented” measure, Singh also lamented the “low-level rhetoric” used by the ruling party.

“I wish the prime minister would find more dignified ways of impressing upon the crowds and seeking their votes…,” he said.

PTI

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.”

Rupani’s Congress rival detained in Rajkot

Police detained three Congress workers tonight outside the residence of Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani in Rajkot when a mob of opposition party workers rushed there, after brother of Congress candidate Indranil Rajyaguru was injured in scuffle with BJP workers. Those detained include Rajkot West Congress candidate Rajyaguru, Rajkot East Congress candidate Mitul Donga and another party worker, police said.

PTI

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

प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi आज गुजरात के भरुच, सुरेन्द्रनगर और राजकोट में चुनावी जनसभाओं को सम्बोधित करेंगे। लाइव देखें https://t.co/vpP0MInUi4 || https://t.co/jtwD1z6SKE पर। लाइव सुनने के लिए डायल करें 022-4501-4501 pic.twitter.com/KOTqcl5Fyo

— BJP (@BJP4India) December 3, 2017

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.