The divisive forces that indulged in spreading hatred and defamed Gujarat will be swept out of the state again in the next month's assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday. Addressing his first election rally in his home state after the announcement of the poll schedule, Modi said the Bharatiya Janata Party would win the elections with a record margin.
"People of Gujarat never accept those who spread hate. Whoever had tried to defame and insult Gujarat in the past have been wiped out of Gujarat by the people. In this election too, such people will meet the same fate," Modi said while launching BJP's poll campaign from tribal-dominated Nana Pondha village in Kaprada taluka in Valsad district.
The prime minister also came up with a new election slogan in Gujarati—Aa Gujarat, mai banavyu chhe (I have made this Gujarat), and also made people chant it several times during his speech.
"We've been working continuously for the development of Gujarat. Every Gujarati is full of self-confidence, which is why when Gujaratis speak, a sound emanates from within them—I have made this Gujarat," said Modi.
Gujarat will vote in two phases on December 1 and 5. The counting of votes will be taken up on December 8. The BJP has won six consecutive Assembly polls in Gujarat. The term of the current assembly ends on February 18, 2023.
Without taking any names, the prime minister said: "Those who try to defame Gujarat are surprised why people of Gujarat are not believing their false propaganda. This is because the people of this state have made Gujarat with hard work and they will never allow someone to harm the state.”
Modi claimed Gujarat had created many records in terms of development. Not a single science school existed in the tribal belt (of Gujarat) a couple of decades ago, but today, tribals have access to science colleges and universities which are built in the region.
"Every Gujarati has worked hard, blood and sweat to make Gujarat. Once upon a time, we used to hunt for doctors, today there are hospitals and medical colleges in tribal areas. Earlier, if a tank were built, the drum would be played for a month and if a hand pump were installed, the village would distribute Penda. Today, due to projects like Estol, we are working to deliver water to my tribal villages by raising water up to 200 floors," said the prime minister.
The BJP has intensified its election campaign in the state ever since Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Gujarat Gaurav Yatra in Ahmebdabad on October 13.
Unlike previous polls, this time the entry of the Aam Admi Party has made the election a triangular contest with party supremo Arvind Kejriwal already making multiple visits to the states and leading a high-voltage campaign.
