Hitting back at the Congress for its ‘Ravan’ swipe at him, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thursday that leaders of the Congress were “competing to abuse the Prime Minister of the country” and “losing mental balance” over election defeats.Campaigning for the BJP in Vejalpur in Kalol in Panchmahal district of Gujarat where votes will be cast on December 5 in the second phase of the Assembly elections, Modi said the Congress “tutored and deputed” its president Mallikarjun Kharge to call him a “Ravan with 100 heads” though the party has “no faith in the existence of Lord Ram”.“One Congress leader recently said, ‘We will show Modi his aukat’. Do we have any aukat? We are sevaks… Now, the Congress high command has sent its new president… I know him and respect him a lot. But he has been tutored to say things… but they don’t know that Gujarat is a land of Ram bhakts, so they told him to come to Gujarat and call Modi a Ravan with 100 heads.”“We know that Congress does not even accept the identity of Lord Ram. They have no faith in the Ram temple in Ayodhya, even reject the existence of Ram Setu, but they have brought out Ravan from Ramayan,” he said.“It does not surprise me that they have used such abusive words for me… But what surprises me is that the Congress party and their top leaders never officially apologise… Yes, one can say things in a fit of rage but an apology can follow…The Congress thinks it is its right to insult the Prime Minister of the country and downgrade the Prime Minister,” he said.“If they had any faith in democracy, they would not have done this. Their faith is not in democracy but in one family… There is a competition in Congress to abuse Modi. Every leader hopes to make the abuses bigger, more frequent, more acerbic… Recently, one of them said Modi will die a dog’s death, another said Modi will die like Hitler, then they were waiting for Pakistan to kill me… and then one said, ‘If I get a chance, I will kill Modi’… They call me Ravan, rakshas, and cockroach.”“I am the son of Gujarat. Is this insult to Modi, whom you have created and raised, not your own insult? The Congress is not aware that the more muck it throws, many more lotuses will bloom,” he said.He blamed the Congress for “taking pleasure” in the “insult of places of faith and worship”. “Earlier, it was a heart-wrenching experience to see the Pavagadh temple without a shikhar. It was a 500-year-old insult. I vowed to change the situation… Was Pavagadh not in existence during Congress rule? But they were not able to see the strength (of the Shakti Peeth) which I could see… The Congress enjoys insults of faith and worship… I don’t know what is wrong with them. You can lose elections but it cannot become a reason for you to lose mental balance… We used to lose our deposits earlier, but we never behaved like this,” he said.In Himmatnagar in Sabarkantha, where he was campaigning for BJP candidates in the constituencies of Khedbhrama, Idar, Himmatnagar and Prantij, Modi said elections are not for electing a government for five years, but to lay “a strong foundation for a strong India when it completes 100 years of Independence”.He said a “mistake” similar to the one after Independence, when Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was not made Prime Minister, should not be repeated because the BJP has “corrected many things in the country with great effort”. “We want to make Gujarat a developed state in the next 25 years. And developed Gujarat means, the state not lagging behind on any benchmarks prevailing in developed countries. And these elections are for that,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis Wednesday said that whenever the Congress sees defeat it abuses Prime Minister Narendra Modi, referring to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s raavan remarks about Modi.At an election rally in Ahmedabad, Kharge, while taking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for asking people in all constituencies to vote for BJP on the basis of his face, had asked whether he is hundred-headed Raavan with a head everywhereFadnavis added that entire country is condemning the use of abusive words against Modi and that the people of Gujarat will give Congress its lowest-ever result in the state Assembly elections.The BJP leader was addressing a press conference at BJP’s media center in Ahmedabad, on Wednesday.Quoting Fadnavis, a party release stated, “Because the Congress leaders can’t put any issues against the development model of BJP and due to lack of neta and niti, they try to defame PM Modi and BJP.”
In a whirlwind campaign tour in his home state Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took part in a more than 30-km-long roadshow here and addressed three rallies while asking people to teach a lesson to the Congress in the Assembly elections following its “Ravan” jibe for him.Addressing a rally at Kalol in Panchmahal district, Modi said he respected Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, but it was the opposition party’s “high command” which compelled Kharge to use such jibes.Voting for the first phase of Gujarat Assembly elections in 89 seats was held on Thursday, while that in the remaining 93 seats including 16 of Ahmedabad city will take place on December 5.Kharge, at a rally in Ahmedabad city on Monday, had said the prime minister asks people to vote “looking at his face” in all elections. “Are you 100-headed like Ravan,” he had said.On Thursday, Modi said, “I respect Kharge ji, but he has to follow orders of the party high command. He was compelled to say that Modi has 100 heads like (demon king) Ravan.” “But the Congress did not realise that Gujarat is the land of Ram Bhakts. Those who never believed in the existence of Lord Ram, have now brought in Ravan from Ramayana just to abuse me,” the PM said.Congress leaders never apologise over such insults but think it is their right to use abusive language for the country’s prime minister, he added.“For them, that family is everything. They will do anything to make the family happy. There is a competition among Congress leaders as to who will use the most abusive and most toxic slurs for Modi,” he said, apparently referring to the Gandhi family.“There is only one way to teach them a lesson. Vote for the BJP on December 5 by pushing a button near lotus,” Modi said.At a rally at Bodeli town in Chhota Udepur district, the PM said despite the Congress’ ‘Garibi Hatao’ slogan, poverty actually increased under its rule.“For decades, Congress has been saying only one thing – Garibi Hatao (eliminate poverty)…The only thing they did was to raise slogans, make promises and misguide people. That was the reason why poverty actually increased during its regime,” Modi said.The poor, tribals and Other Backward Class (OBC) communities were not given priority in education, health and industrial sector by Congress governments, he said.The opposition party also did not support a tribal woman becoming the country’s President, and hence it fielded a candidate against Droupadi Murmu in the presidential election earlier this year, Modi claimed.Speaking at his last rally in Himmatnagar town in Sabarkantha district, he asked people not to repeat the “mistake” committed after Independence.“This election is not just about forming a government here for five years. The country has completed 75 years of Independence. You must keep in mind where India will be 25 years from now. This election is all about making a government which would strengthen the foundation of the country for the next 25 years,” Modi said.“Everyone says that India would have been moving in a different direction had Sardar Patel been the country’s first prime minister. We have already begun the course correction and have put the country in the right direction with so much hard work. Therefore, we cannot afford to commit the same mistake that was committed at the time of India’s Independence,” he added.In the evening, Modi took part in a more than 30-km-long roadshow in Ahmedabad city, starting from Naroda village.A large number of people standing on both sides of the route greeted the PM during the roadshow which began around 5.20 pm.Standing in a specially-designed vehicle, the prime minister waved at the crowd.The roadshow was to pass through the eastern part of Ahmedabad and end at IOC circle in the Chandkheda area on the city’s western side, covering 13 constituencies in Ahmedabad city as well as Gandhinagar-South.
Ahmedabad, Dec 1 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday evening led a 30-km-long roadshow through Ahmedabad city where polling will be held on December 5 in the second phase of the Gujarat Assembly elections.During the procession that lasted for more than three-and-half hours, he passed through 14 Assembly constituencies.At one point, the prime minister"s convoy made way for an ambulance.The roadshow began from Naroda village in the eastern part of the city around 5.20 pm and ended at IOC crossroads in Chandkheda area in the west around 9 pm.A large number of people standing on both sides of the route welcomed Modi and greeted him with flowers.Standing on a specially-designed vehicle, the PM was seen waving at the crowd all along the route.He also paid floral tributes at the statues of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay and Subhash Chandra Bose in Thakkarbapa Nagar, Maninagar and RTO Circle on the route. Modi"s convoy gave way to an ambulance at one point. On seeing the ambulance coming from behind, the PM"s security personnel asked the driver of his vehicle to move sideways so that the ambulance could pass.The roadshow passed through various areas including Hirawadi, Hatkeshwar, Maninagar, Danilimda, Jivraj Park, Ghatlodia, Naranpura and Sabarmati.It covered 13 constituencies in Ahmedabad city as well as Chandkheda area which falls in the Gandhinagar-South Assembly seat, a BJP release said.Polling for the first phase of elections in 89 seats of Saurashtra and south Gujarat regions was held on Thursday, while that in the remaining 93 seats including 16 of Ahmedabad city will take place on December 5. PTI PJT PD KRK KRKYour support to NYOOOZ will help us to continue create and publish news for and from smaller cities, which also need equal voice as much as citizens living in bigger cities have through mainstream media organizations.
Ahmedabad, Dec 1 (PTI) In a whirlwind campaign tour in his home state Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took part in a more than 30-km-long roadshow here and addressed three rallies while asking people to teach a lesson to the Congress in the Assembly elections following its "Ravan" jibe for him. Addressing a rally at Kalol in Panchmahal district, Modi said he respected Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, but it was the opposition party"s "high command" which compelled Kharge to use such jibes. Voting for the first phase of Gujarat Assembly elections in 89 seats was held on Thursday, while that in the remaining 93 seats including 16 of Ahmedabad city will take place on December 5. Kharge, at a rally in Ahmedabad city on Monday, had said the prime minister asks people to vote "looking at his face" in all elections. "Are you 100-headed like Ravan," he had said.On Thursday, Modi said, "I respect Kharge ji, but he has to follow orders of the party high command. He was compelled to say that Modi has 100 heads like (demon king) Ravan." "But the Congress did not realise that Gujarat is the land of Ram Bhakts. Those who never believed in the existence of Lord Ram, have now brought in Ravan from Ramayana just to abuse me," the PM said.Congress leaders never apologise over such insults but think it is their right to use abusive language for the country"s prime minister, he added. "For them, that family is everything. They will do anything to make the family happy. There is a competition among Congress leaders as to who will use the most abusive and most toxic slurs for Modi," he said, apparently referring to the Gandhi family."There is only one way to teach them a lesson. Vote for the BJP on December 5 by pushing a button near lotus," Modi said.At a rally at Bodeli town in Chhota Udepur district, the PM said despite the Congress" "Garibi Hatao" slogan, poverty actually increased under its rule."For decades, Congress has been saying only one thing - Garibi Hatao (eliminate poverty)...The only thing they did was to raise slogans, make promises and misguide people. That was the reason why poverty actually increased during its regime," Modi said.The poor, tribals and Other Backward Class (OBC) communities were not given priority in education, health and industrial sector by Congress governments, he said.The opposition party also did not support a tribal woman becoming the country"s President, and hence it fielded a candidate against Droupadi Murmu in the presidential election earlier this year, Modi claimed.Speaking at his last rally in Himmatnagar town in Sabarkantha district, he asked people not to repeat the "mistake" committed after Independence. "This election is not just about forming a government here for five years. The country has completed 75 years of Independence. You must keep in mind where India will be 25 years from now. This election is all about making a government which would strengthen the foundation of the country for the next 25 years," Modi said."Everyone says that India would have been moving in a different direction had Sardar Patel been the country"s first prime minister. We have already begun the course correction and have put the country in the right direction with so much hard work. Therefore, we cannot afford to commit the same mistake that was committed at the time of India"s Independence," he added.In the evening, Modi took part in a more than 30-km-long roadshow in Ahmedabad city, starting from Naroda village.A large number of people standing on both sides of the route greeted the PM during the roadshow which began around 5.20 pm. Standing in a specially-designed vehicle, the prime minister waved at the crowd.The roadshow was to pass through the eastern part of Ahmedabad and end at IOC circle in the Chandkheda area on the city"s western side, covering 13 constituencies in Ahmedabad city as well as Gandhinagar-South. PTI PJT PD COR NP GK KRK KRK KRKYour support to NYOOOZ will help us to continue create and publish news for and from smaller cities, which also need equal voice as much as citizens living in bigger cities have through mainstream media organizations.
FOR a few hours Saturday, in Surat’s Mahidarpura diamond market, traders have left their seats, Their lamps and magnifying loupes lie idle, they have gathered in the market square for a big-ticket Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) rally.AAP’s state president and Katargam seat candidate Gopal Italia; Varachha candidate Alpesh Kathiriya; party general secretary and candidate from Karanj seat Manoj Sorathiya; and Surat north candidate Mokshak Sanghvi – all are on stage. The party’s Chief Ministerial candidate, Isudan Gadhvi, appears on a video call and talks to the crowd, from the Khambhalia seat in Saurashtra, where he is contesting. Read more
The first phase of the Gujarat assembly elections is spread across 19 districts in the Saurashtra-Kachchh and southern regions of the state. These include major urban centres like Surat, Rajkot, Jamnagar and Bhavnagar. The contest five years ago was by no means one-sided, the significant presence of Patidars being one of the factors in play. Whether that has changed with Patidar leader Hardik Patel having recently switched to the BJP is one of the questions that would be answered here. Another is what effect an enhanced AAP presence will have on the outcome, for instance in Surat where the party displaced Congress as the main opposition in local body elections. MorbiAt Morbi, BJP gave ticket to former party MLA Kanti Amrutiya by denying ticket to sitting MLA Brijesh Merja. After Morbi’s bridge collapse tragedy in October in which 135 people died, BJP chose Amrutiya who had jumped into the Machchhu river to save people from drowning and this video had gone viral. In 2017, BJP lost all three seats in Morbi district, including Morbi town. Brijesh Merja who won this seat on Congress ticket in 2017 switched party in 2020 by resigning from the seat and contested by-election on BJP ticket and won. At Morbi, Congress has given ticket to Jayanti Patel who lost four elections on this seat. Also See: Gujarat Election 2022 Live UpdatesKatargamThe political fight in Diamond polishing hub Katargam has become more interesting with AAP Gujarat chief Gopal Italia nominated from the seat. He is pitted against BJP minister Vinod Moradiya, a three-time municipal councillor. Both Italia and Moradiya belong to the Patidar community. However, the Congress has fielded Kalpesh Variya from the Prajapati community. Katargam was at the epicentre of the Patidar quota agitation in 2015. The constituency houses some of the biggest diamond cutting and polishing companies. AAP had made inroads into state politics from Surat when it won 27 seats in the 2021 civic body elections. Jamnagar northRivaba Jadeja, wife of cricketer Ravindra Jajea, is contesting on BJP ticket from here. Her close rival is Bipendrasinh Jadeja from Congress. The seat is important because Rivaba herself is a celebrity and Ravindra held several roadshows in support of his wife. Rivaba’s sister-in-law, however, is a Congress worker and has campaigned against her and her (Rivaba’s) father-in-law has circulated a video message asking people to vote for Congress. In a new experiment, BJP had denied ticket to sitting MLA Dharmendrasinh Jadeja who is a Congress turncoat and had joined BJP before 2017 assembly election. KhambhaliyaThe chief ministerial face of AAP Ishudan Gadhvi is contesting from Khambhaliya that falls in Devbhumi Dwarka district. Gadhvi is a TV journalistturned-politician. His close contestants are Vikram Madam from Congress and BJP’s Mulu Bera. It is a question of survival for AAP to win this seat as party’s heavyweight is contesting from the seat. However, the voters’ caste formula does not go in favour of Gadhvi as majority of voters here belong to Madam’s Aahir community. Gadhvi, who claims Aahir community’s support, is raising the issue of new law for cow breeders as majority of voters are animal breeders and farmers. AmreliFormer leader of opposition in the state assembly, Paresh Dhanani, is seeking election for the third term from here. He won this seat in 2012 and 2017 on Congress ticket. BJP has given the ticket to Kaushik Vekariya who is contesting the first assembly election of his life. Amreli is important because in 2017 all the five seats in the district had gone to Congress. It is an agrarian district and youth of this district is settled in Surat’s diamond industry. Rajkot southIndustrialist Ramesh Tilara is contesting from BJP on this seat. He has declared his assets worth over Rs 157 crore. He is supported by Khodaldham, the apex religious body of Leuva Patel, and is contesting the first election of his life. His close contestant is Congress’s Hitesh Vora who is former president of Rajkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry. AAP has fielded Shivlal Barasia. There is a resentment among BJP workers who feel ticket to an ‘outsider’ may affect party’s prospects on this seat. BhavnagarParshottam Solanki, a five-time BJP MLA, is contesting for the 6th time from Bhavnagar Rural constituency. A strong Koli leader, Solanki is facing antiincumbency. He does meet people because of age-related health issues and also facing several other issues. On Bhavnagar West constituency, BJP’s heavyweight Jitu Vaghani is contesting the election for the third term. Rajkot eastThe richest former MLA, Indranil Rajguru, is contesting from this seat on Congress ticket. He won this seat in 2012. BJP has roped in Uday Kangad, former mayor and former standing committee chairman of Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC), for the seat. They both are considered ‘Bahubali’ leaders. MajuraThe Majura seat in Surat is a bastion of the sitting minister of state for home Harsh Sanghavi, who has been vociferous against ‘love jihad,’ and instrumental in the success of PM’s roadshows and rallies in the city. He is contesting against Congress’s Balwant Jain. AAP has nominated former BJP leader PVS Sarma against Sanghavi. Sarma had a bitter fallout with BJP, the party he had joined over 15 years ago.
AHMEDABAD: A total of 1,966 voters who are 80 years old or older have exercised their franchise through postal ballot for the 21 seats in Ahmedabad city. The election commission issued 2,040 postal ballots in Ahmedabad. 81 postal ballots were issued for persons with disability in city, of whom 78 have already voted. The statement said that of the 1,966 voters senior citizen voters who exercised their franchise, 427 were from Ghatlodia followed by 330 from Maninagar and 232 from Ellisbridge. Nikol was the one constituency where no voter older than 80 years has voted. Vatva had the second lowest number, 17 voters.
The BJP Candidate, Jitu Vaghani, Is Working Hard To Win Over The Kolis Who Are Miffed At Being Ignored During Ticket Distribution. The Congress Is Banking On The Undercurrent Of Resentment Against The Saffron Party To Make GainsMarriage season is at its peak, but the sound of wedding drums is sweeter for the people of Ghetia, a tiny hamlet some 55km from Bhavnagar city. Be it the marriage banquets or feasts thrown by politicians these days, both are incomplete without ‘mattho’ (sweetened, strained, and flavoured yogurt) made and supplied in bulk from this tiny village tucked away in the Shetrunji hills. For several years now, Ghetia has been supplying nearly 30-35% of ‘mattho’ consumed in Bhavnagar, which is famous for its crunchy ‘ganthiyas’ and melt-in-the-mouth ‘pedas’ both of which found mention in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s September 29 speech. The delicacy has added some tang to the otherwise insipid campaigning in this BJP bastion, where caste factors have been the flavour of every election. Dominated by Kolis (primarily fishermen), Kshatriyas and Patels, Bhavnagar is a mix of castes that decides whom to humble at the hustings and whom to send to the 182-member Gujarat assembly. This prestigious constituency has 65,000-70,000 Kolis, about 42,000 Kshatriyas and some 20,000 Patidars. As one enters the city from Naari Chowkdi, scattered hoardings of Bhavnagar West candidate K K Gohil from the Congress greet the eyes. There are election offices of the BJP, the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), but there’s hardly any crowd there. Gohil, a businessman from the Kshatriya community, is the nearest rival of Gujarat education minister and Cabinet spokesman Jitu Vaghani. The BJP candidate is working hard to win over the Kshatriyas, who are fuming over their community being over-looked during ticket distribution by the party. “For the first time in the history of Bhavnagar, Kshatriya women w h o seldom move out of the house organized a mahila sammelan and resolved not to vote for the BJP,” a senior party leader told TOI. Vaghani, a Leuva Patel, is eyeing a hat-trick this time while the Congress is rubbing its hands with glee at the community’s aggressive anti-BJP posturing. Political observers were left as tounded when ‘Bhai’ Parshottam Solanki, the indisputable messiah of Kolis, campaigned for Vaghani. “He is my younger brother and, in his victory, lies my prestige. Voting for Jitubhai is akin to voting for me,” screamed an advertisement reportedly issued by Solanki in a local newspaper. “Bhai doesn’t campaign for any candidate, and this is the first time hedid so,” said a source close to the five-time Bhavnagar Rural MLA. Solanki’s appeal can be seen in the fact that the AAP has fielded social worker Raju Solanki, a Koli. However, only the results on December 8 will reveal if those opposing Vaghani can rejoice. At the fag end of campaigning, November 26 was an unusually hectic day for the city airport, which saw 19 movements in place of just one per day. Modi addressed three rallies in the district, the last one in the temple town Palitana on Monday. Bhavnagar is the home to Alang, one of the biggest graveyards for ships in the world. Modi and other BJP leaders have resolutely marketed the Ghogha-Dahej and Ghogha-Hazira ferry services, terming them as a blessing for people, mostly diamond polishers working in Surat and transporters. But only caste cuts the ice here. Moreover, unlike other cities of Gujarat, Bhavnagar doesn’t battle serious traffic issues, water cuts or drainage problems. The visionary rulers of the erstwhile princely state ensured broad roads, most converging at nearly 60 roundabouts with a mini lush garden within. While the BJP is looking to repeat its 6-1 performance of 2012 and 2017, the Congress is depending on the undercurrent of resentment in the saffron party to make some gains. Aging Koli messiah confident of 6th winIn ‘Mira Kunj,’ the residence of Koli strongman and fisheries minister Parshottam Solanki in the Talaja Jakatnaka area, his daughter is seen giving a dressing down to a few women workers, asking them to put their differences aside during the poll. Solanki, the aging messiah of the community, is resting and seldom steps out to campaign, knowing well that his name is enough to win the Bhavnagar Rural seat for the sixth time. The 61-year-old battling ill health doesn’t prefer to meet manypeople. At a public meeting in support of education minister Jitu Vaghani, Solanki elaborately narrated how he became a don. “Once, someone asked me why people call me Bhai. I told him to check the files of papers in Mumbai’s Andheri police station,” he proclaimed as one of his supporters held the mike for him. Who will be left crying in onion hub?Voters in Mahuva, the hub of onion production in the state, will decide if Congress’s Dr Kanubhai Kalsariya can revive his electoral fortunes or be left moisteyed. The surgeon-cum-politician, who has championed various environmental causes, is pitted against BJP’s Shiva Gohil, the former Talaja MLA, who is facing severe resentment from supporters of R C Makwana, the minister who was dropped during ticket distribution. When the BJP announced the first list of candidates, there was a flareup in the Mahuva party unit, with nearly 300 workers resigning to protest the selection of Gohil, who had not even demanded a ticket. The constituency has a massive Koli population of around 2. 1 lakh, along with Ahirs, Dalits and Muslims. Dr Kalsariya lost the poll on an AAP ticket in 2017. Another deciding factor is the exodus of many Kolis from the constituency. They have gone to work as cotton harvesters in Rajkot, Jasdan and other parts. Healthy rivalryPolitical nerves are fraying in Bhavnagar, but candidates are putting their differences aside when it comes to ill-health. On Monday, the Congress candidate from Bhavnagar Rural, Revatsinh Gohil, suffered a heart attack. And none other than his closest rival Parshottam Solanki, the five-time MLA from this seat, paid a surprise visit to check on his health!
AHMEDABAD: In dry Gujarat, a few spirited candidates have entered the 2022 poll battleground with the promise of letting the booze genie out of the bottle. These candidates are fighting as independents in the state which has the liquor-prohibition law in place. The electoral hopefuls say the policy has barely served any interest and has instead caused massive losses to the exchequer. They also highlight fatalities linked to spurious liquor. "Gujarat bottle laine rehshe (Gujarat will succeed in getting access to the liquor bottle)" is the slogan of a man who wants to stir and also shake voters' interest by taking on CM Bhupendra Patel. Naresh Priyadarshi, a 40-year-old software developer and entrepreneur, is in the fray as an independent candidate from Ahmedabad's Ghatlodia, a seat from which Patel is seeking re-election. Naresh Priyadarshi, a 40-year-old software developer and entrepreneur said he is not as presumptuous as to think he can stand as the CM's rival. Priyadarshi said his intention is to raise his voice against the "useless" policy. "Prohibition has been in place since Gujarat was formed in 1960. But it has not benefited any section of society," Priyadarshi said. "The state exchequer incurs losses to the tune of thousands of crores annually. The implementation of the law is poor because of which the vulnerable have died in numerous hooch tragedies." He added, "Though Gujarat is a dry state, the term 'liquor widows' is often evoked. The prohibition policy is highly misplaced and must go." Priyadarshi had striven to get the bottle as his election symbol, but he had to make do with the carboy as the bottle was not among the 250 symbols on offer for independents. "People are forced to drink liquor like thieves due to the taboo associated with it while people coming from other states are allowed to drink freely. That is unjust," Priyadarshi said. Ramkumar Gulvani, an independent candidate from Naroda in Ahmedabad, has welfarism as the mixer for his anti-prohibition plank. "End prohibition to help Rs 21,000 crore income flow into the state exchequer to allow political parties fulfil their promises of freebies," he tells voters. His election symbol is a mobile charger. The question of money has cropped up before in relation to prohibition, even in sober governmental communication. In 2018, Gujarat's deputy chief minister at the time, Nitin Patel, had asked the Niti Aayog to pay a compensation of Rs 9,000 crore to the state for revenue losses precipitated by the prohibition policy. In 2021, over 57 lakh litres of illegal liquor worth Rs 124 crore was seized by the state police. Several litigations are pending in the Gujarat high court seeking a relaxation in prohibition to allow people to drink in the privacy of their homes. Gulvani said the prohibition is lax and liquor flows in freely through illegal channels. "People are treated as criminals for consuming liquor. That is unfair in this day and age," he said. "While Gujarat bleeds revenue, the neighbouring states such as Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh emerge as major tourism hubs due to the availability of liquor." In Vadodara, a group called 'We Do Not Need Prohibition in Gujarat' is encouraging people to press the 'NOTA' (none of the above) button as a mark of protest against the prohibition policy. None of the group members is standing for election. "We have very strong arguments against the prohibition policy and how it is hampering the development of the state and its citizens," said Rajiv Patel, the founder of the group. Its members are extensively using social media and other platforms to urge people to press the 'NOTA' button. "No political party is even ready to lend an ear to our demands," Rajiv Patel said.(with inputs by Sachin Sharma in Vadodara)
In a whirlwind campaign tour in his home state Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took part in a more than 30-km-long roadshow here and addressed three rallies while asking people to teach a lesson to the Congress in the Assembly elections following its “Ravan” jibe for him.Addressing a rally at Kalol in Panchmahal district, Modi said he respected Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, but it was the opposition party’s “high command” which compelled Kharge to use such jibes.Voting for the first phase of Gujarat Assembly elections in 89 seats was held on Thursday, while that in the remaining 93 seats including 16 of Ahmedabad city will take place on December 5.Kharge, at a rally in Ahmedabad city on Monday, had said the prime minister asks people to vote “looking at his face” in all elections. “Are you 100-headed like Ravan,” he had said.On Thursday, Modi said, “I respect Kharge ji, but he has to follow orders of the party high command. He was compelled to say that Modi has 100 heads like (demon king) Ravan.” “But the Congress did not realise that Gujarat is the land of Ram Bhakts. Those who never believed in the existence of Lord Ram, have now brought in Ravan from Ramayana just to abuse me,” the PM said.Congress leaders never apologise over such insults but think it is their right to use abusive language for the country’s prime minister, he added.“For them, that family is everything. They will do anything to make the family happy. There is a competition among Congress leaders as to who will use the most abusive and most toxic slurs for Modi,” he said, apparently referring to the Gandhi family.“There is only one way to teach them a lesson. Vote for the BJP on December 5 by pushing a button near lotus,” Modi said.At a rally at Bodeli town in Chhota Udepur district, the PM said despite the Congress’ ‘Garibi Hatao’ slogan, poverty actually increased under its rule.“For decades, Congress has been saying only one thing – Garibi Hatao (eliminate poverty)…The only thing they did was to raise slogans, make promises and misguide people. That was the reason why poverty actually increased during its regime,” Modi said.The poor, tribals and Other Backward Class (OBC) communities were not given priority in education, health and industrial sector by Congress governments, he said.The opposition party also did not support a tribal woman becoming the country’s President, and hence it fielded a candidate against Droupadi Murmu in the presidential election earlier this year, Modi claimed.Speaking at his last rally in Himmatnagar town in Sabarkantha district, he asked people not to repeat the “mistake” committed after Independence.“This election is not just about forming a government here for five years. The country has completed 75 years of Independence. You must keep in mind where India will be 25 years from now. This election is all about making a government which would strengthen the foundation of the country for the next 25 years,” Modi said.“Everyone says that India would have been moving in a different direction had Sardar Patel been the country’s first prime minister. We have already begun the course correction and have put the country in the right direction with so much hard work. Therefore, we cannot afford to commit the same mistake that was committed at the time of India’s Independence,” he added.In the evening, Modi took part in a more than 30-km-long roadshow in Ahmedabad city, starting from Naroda village.A large number of people standing on both sides of the route greeted the PM during the roadshow which began around 5.20 pm.Standing in a specially-designed vehicle, the prime minister waved at the crowd.The roadshow was to pass through the eastern part of Ahmedabad and end at IOC circle in the Chandkheda area on the city’s western side, covering 13 constituencies in Ahmedabad city as well as Gandhinagar-South.
Ahmedabad, Dec 1 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday evening led a 30-km-long roadshow through Ahmedabad city where polling will be held on December 5 in the second phase of the Gujarat Assembly elections.During the procession that lasted for more than three-and-half hours, he passed through 14 Assembly constituencies.At one point, the prime minister"s convoy made way for an ambulance.The roadshow began from Naroda village in the eastern part of the city around 5.20 pm and ended at IOC crossroads in Chandkheda area in the west around 9 pm.A large number of people standing on both sides of the route welcomed Modi and greeted him with flowers.Standing on a specially-designed vehicle, the PM was seen waving at the crowd all along the route.He also paid floral tributes at the statues of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay and Subhash Chandra Bose in Thakkarbapa Nagar, Maninagar and RTO Circle on the route. Modi"s convoy gave way to an ambulance at one point. On seeing the ambulance coming from behind, the PM"s security personnel asked the driver of his vehicle to move sideways so that the ambulance could pass.The roadshow passed through various areas including Hirawadi, Hatkeshwar, Maninagar, Danilimda, Jivraj Park, Ghatlodia, Naranpura and Sabarmati.It covered 13 constituencies in Ahmedabad city as well as Chandkheda area which falls in the Gandhinagar-South Assembly seat, a BJP release said.Polling for the first phase of elections in 89 seats of Saurashtra and south Gujarat regions was held on Thursday, while that in the remaining 93 seats including 16 of Ahmedabad city will take place on December 5. PTI PJT PD KRK KRKYour support to NYOOOZ will help us to continue create and publish news for and from smaller cities, which also need equal voice as much as citizens living in bigger cities have through mainstream media organizations.
Ahmedabad, Dec 1 (PTI) In a whirlwind campaign tour in his home state Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took part in a more than 30-km-long roadshow here and addressed three rallies while asking people to teach a lesson to the Congress in the Assembly elections following its "Ravan" jibe for him. Addressing a rally at Kalol in Panchmahal district, Modi said he respected Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, but it was the opposition party"s "high command" which compelled Kharge to use such jibes. Voting for the first phase of Gujarat Assembly elections in 89 seats was held on Thursday, while that in the remaining 93 seats including 16 of Ahmedabad city will take place on December 5. Kharge, at a rally in Ahmedabad city on Monday, had said the prime minister asks people to vote "looking at his face" in all elections. "Are you 100-headed like Ravan," he had said.On Thursday, Modi said, "I respect Kharge ji, but he has to follow orders of the party high command. He was compelled to say that Modi has 100 heads like (demon king) Ravan." "But the Congress did not realise that Gujarat is the land of Ram Bhakts. Those who never believed in the existence of Lord Ram, have now brought in Ravan from Ramayana just to abuse me," the PM said.Congress leaders never apologise over such insults but think it is their right to use abusive language for the country"s prime minister, he added. "For them, that family is everything. They will do anything to make the family happy. There is a competition among Congress leaders as to who will use the most abusive and most toxic slurs for Modi," he said, apparently referring to the Gandhi family."There is only one way to teach them a lesson. Vote for the BJP on December 5 by pushing a button near lotus," Modi said.At a rally at Bodeli town in Chhota Udepur district, the PM said despite the Congress" "Garibi Hatao" slogan, poverty actually increased under its rule."For decades, Congress has been saying only one thing - Garibi Hatao (eliminate poverty)...The only thing they did was to raise slogans, make promises and misguide people. That was the reason why poverty actually increased during its regime," Modi said.The poor, tribals and Other Backward Class (OBC) communities were not given priority in education, health and industrial sector by Congress governments, he said.The opposition party also did not support a tribal woman becoming the country"s President, and hence it fielded a candidate against Droupadi Murmu in the presidential election earlier this year, Modi claimed.Speaking at his last rally in Himmatnagar town in Sabarkantha district, he asked people not to repeat the "mistake" committed after Independence. "This election is not just about forming a government here for five years. The country has completed 75 years of Independence. You must keep in mind where India will be 25 years from now. This election is all about making a government which would strengthen the foundation of the country for the next 25 years," Modi said."Everyone says that India would have been moving in a different direction had Sardar Patel been the country"s first prime minister. We have already begun the course correction and have put the country in the right direction with so much hard work. Therefore, we cannot afford to commit the same mistake that was committed at the time of India"s Independence," he added.In the evening, Modi took part in a more than 30-km-long roadshow in Ahmedabad city, starting from Naroda village.A large number of people standing on both sides of the route greeted the PM during the roadshow which began around 5.20 pm. Standing in a specially-designed vehicle, the prime minister waved at the crowd.The roadshow was to pass through the eastern part of Ahmedabad and end at IOC circle in the Chandkheda area on the city"s western side, covering 13 constituencies in Ahmedabad city as well as Gandhinagar-South. PTI PJT PD COR NP GK KRK KRK KRKYour support to NYOOOZ will help us to continue create and publish news for and from smaller cities, which also need equal voice as much as citizens living in bigger cities have through mainstream media organizations.
