Sonia Gandhi and Her Family Have Used ‘Neech’ Too: Modi in Gujarat

Both parties ended their campaigning for the first phase of elections on Thursday, 7 December.

Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi

(Photo: Altered by The Quint) 

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Friday, 8 December, saw heavy-duty campaigning for phase 2 of the Gujarat assembly elections, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding rallies in Banaskantha's Bhabhar, Kalol, Vatva in Ahmedabad, and Himatnagar in Sabarkantha. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi addressed election rallies in Pavi Jetpur, Ramesar and Loteshwar Bhagol.

Gujarat will vote in the first phase of the Assembly elections on 9 December. The second phase of elections will be held on 14 December.

• Narendra Modi addressed rallies in Banaskantha’s Bhabhar, Kalol, Vatva in Ahmedabad, and Himatnagar in Sabarkantha today
  
• Rahul Gandhi addressed election rallies in Jetpur Pavi, Ramesar and Loteshwar Bhagol today
  
• PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi simultaneously raked up the suspension of Mani Shankar Aiyar at their respective rallies in Gujarat
• “They did not call me ‘neech’ for the first time yesterday. Sonia Gandhi and her family members have used it too,” Modi said at a rally in Nikol, Ahmedabad
  
• Finance Minister Arun Jaitley released BJP’s manifesto - titled ‘Sankalp Patra’ - on Friday, 8 December, a day before the first phase of polling in Gujarat
  
• Both parties concluded campaigning for the first phase of elections on 7 December

Updated at:8th Dec, 2017 at 11:41 PM

'They've Called me a Mad Dog, Virus': Modi Accuses Cong Leaders of Using Offensive Language

At the rally in Nikol, Modi tore into the Congress, accusing its leaders of using offensive language against him.

What did Anand Sharma say - PM Modi is mentally unstable. A Congress leader retweeted such an offensive tweet about me that I cannot even say it. What did Digvijaya Singh tweet about me? Evidently, one Gujarati, a person born into a poor family has troubled them a lot.

PM Modi

Modi went on to narrate how he was called "monkey", a "mad dog", a "virus", and compared to bhasmasur by leaders such as Jairam Ramesh, Beni Prasad Verma and Renuka Chowdhury.

...Ghulam Nabi Azad said I am <i>Gangu Teli</i>. Are these the kind of things we should say in public life? Imran Masood, who they gave a ticket to, said we will cut Modi into pieces. Renuka Chowdhury called me a virus. She said I bring ‘Namonitis’. I don’t even want to get started on what Gujarat Congress leaders have been calling me.

PM Modi

Updated at:8th Dec, 2017 at 11:41 PM

Not Called Neech For The First Time, Sonia Gandhi & Family Members Have Used it Too: Modi

Addressing a rally in Ahmedabad’s Nikol constituency, PM Modi once again brought up the “neech aadmi” remark made by Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, saying that the term has been used against him by Sonia Gandhi and her family members too.

They did not call me ‘neech’ for the first time yesterday. Sonia Gandhi and her family members have used it too. Why am I ‘neech’ - because I was born poor, because I am of a lower caste, because I am a Gujarati? Is that why they hate me?

PM Modi

Kickstarting his rally, Modi had said:

After travelling across Saurashtra, Kutch, south Gujarat and north Gujarat, I am now in Ahmedabad. What I am seeing is extraordinary. It is clear that the BJP will emerge victorious.

PM Modi

He also asserted that the strength of the middle class is rising along with its population. "This section of society aspires to progress at a quick pace."

Further stressing on BJP's economic growth agenda, Modi said:

Why should it be that only malls can remain open for a long duration? We ensured that the small shops can also be open for long. This gives opportunities to several people.

PM Modi

Updated at:8th Dec, 2017 at 11:41 PM

The Quint's Ground Coverage From Modi's Rally in Ahmedabad

PM Modi's rally in Nikol, Ahmedabad for the second phase of Gujarat polls saw a massive turnout.

Watch these people belonging to the Patidar community below criticising Hardik Patel, as well as praising the BJP for its work.

Updated at:8th Dec, 2017 at 11:41 PM

Watch: Rahul Gandhi Visits a local Pav Bhaaji Stall in Tarapur, Gujarat

Rahul Gandhi visited a local pav bhaaji stall in Anand’s Tarapur on Friday in between addressing rallies in Gujarat for phase 2 of the assembly elections.

(Photo Courtesy: ANI)

(Photo Courtesy: ANI)

Updated at:8th Dec, 2017 at 11:41 PM

Rahul Gandhi Slams the BJP For its 'Hastily Prepared' Manifesto

Addressing a rally in Anand, Gujarat, Rahul Gandhi lashed out at the BJP for its "arrogance", saying:

We raised questions about the manifesto and the BJP hastily prepared it behind closed doors. The Congress asked for it, so Arun Jaitley released it. Otherwise why do they need it when they think they’re to govern the state for 100 years. Such is their arrogance.

Rahul Gandhi

He also talked about how the Congress had started a "noble initiative" in Karnataka wherein canteens provide food to everyone at minimal prices, and asserted that the party will start a similar scheme in Gujarat.

The Congress vice-president further said:

I won’t lie and say that everyone will receive Rs 15 lakh in their bank accounts. But when we come to power here, people will feel that their voices are being finally heard after 22 years.

Rahul Gandhi

Updated at:8th Dec, 2017 at 11:41 PM

Watch: PM Modi Brings up Ayodhya Case in Kalol, Gandhinagar

Addressing a rally in Gujarat’s Kalol, PM Modi brought up the Ayodhya case, attacking Congress leader and lawyer Kapil Sibal.

For the last two days, a top Congress leader and an illustrious lawyer has been speaking. He is free to represent whoever he wants to. But why does he want to prolong the Ayodhya case when all stakeholders want an early solution... Instead of coming clear on why he wants Ayodhya matter to be discussed in court after 2019, he is busy saying whose lawyer he is. He says he doesn’t represent Sunni Wakf Board but he should say who is he representing? Why doesn’t Congress also remove this lawyer leader.

PM Modi

Modi also targeted the previous UPA government over the various scams during its tenure, narrating how an elderly man named Mansukh Kaka presented a book containing the scams under the UPA regime to former PM Manmohan Singh in Rajkot .

"I congratulate Mansukh Kaka who spoke up for the truth and for honest governance," Modi asserted.

Updated at:8th Dec, 2017 at 11:41 PM

BJP Releases Manifesto For Gujarat

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley released the BJP's manifesto - titled ‘Sankalp Patra’ - for the assembly elections in Ahmedabad on Friday, 8 December. At the release event, he claimed that Gujarat's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth is the highest in India.

In the last five years, Gujarat grew at an average rate of 10 percent among the large states.

Arun Jaitley

Jaitley also attacked Congress at the launch event, saying that the party's "vision for Gujarat is based on constitutional impossibility and financial improbability".

BJP leaders releasing the party’s manifesto on Friday, 8 December. (Photo Courtesy: ANI)

Updated at:8th Dec, 2017 at 11:41 PM

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Massive Crowds Turn up For Rahul, Modi Rallies

Both Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi’s rallies saw huge crowds teeming with support.

BJP supporters rally support for Naredra Modi in Bhabhar(Photo: Twitter/@BJP4India)

Congress supporters throng at Rahul Gandhi’s rally in Pavi Jetpur(Photo: Twitter/@INC_India)

Updated at:8th Dec, 2017 at 2:53 PM

Will Mani Shankar Aiyar's Comment Impact Gujarat Voters? The Quint Finds Out

Updated at:8th Dec, 2017 at 2:33 PM

Aiyar Gave 'Supari' in Pakistan to Get me 'Removed': Modi

PM Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi simultaneously raked up the suspension of Mani Shankar Aiyar at their respective rallies in Gujarat.

While Rahul Gandhi said that the Congress party had no tolerance for usage of unparliamentary language, Modi said that Gujarat’s people would respond to Aiyar’s “neech” comment.

The Congress party respects the PM’s seat. And no one in the party can speak about the PM using wrong words. Modiji can say anything about us. That is why we have taken strict action against Mani Shankar Aiyar.&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi

Modi also accused Aiyar of giving 'supari' (contract) while on a visit to Pakistan to get him "removed" from the way to ensure peace between India and the neighbouring country. He alleged that the Congress tried to suppress this episode and did not take any action against Aiyar.

Attacking the Congress over its work culture, Modi alleged that the party believes in--'atkana' (to stall) 'latkana' (to keep the issue hanging) and 'bhatkana' (to divert an issue).

Mani Shankar Aiyar told people when he visited Pakistan- remove Modi from the way and then see what happens to India-Pakistan peace. What did he mean by removing me from the way? You had gone to Pakistan to give my ‘supari’, you wanted to give Modi’s ‘supari’ (contract killing)... And what is my crime? That I have blessings of the people?

PM Narendra Modi

Meanwhile, Aiyar said on Friday that he would accept any punishment if the Congress suffers damage in the Gujarat polls due to his “neech aadmi” remark against Modi, a day after being suspended from the party.

The senior party leader also asserted that the Congress party was doing well in Gujarat under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi.

Updated at:8th Dec, 2017 at 11:41 PM

BJP Has No Manifesto: Rahul Gandhi in Pavi Jetpur

Opening his address at the Congress' rally in Pavi Jetpur with a "Kem Cho", Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi questioned the BJP’s failure to release a manifesto for Gujarat.

<i>BJP aapke liye kya karna chahti hai unhone woh aapko abhi tak nahi bayata hai, manifesto abhi tak tayar nahi kiya </i>(BJP hasn’t told you what they want to do for you, they haven’t prepared their manifesto yet.)

Promising a loan waiver, Gandhi said that if voted to power in Gujarat, the Congress will announce waivers within 10 days.

No one can stop the Congress wave in Gujarat, Gandhi said.

Congress party is going to win elections in Gujarat and no one can stop it. <i>Aandhi aa rahi hai.</i>

Updated at:8th Dec, 2017 at 11:41 PM

Where was Congress During the Floods?: PM Modi

Also ReadWhy Flash Floods In Bihar Villages Don’t Get India’s Attention

Slamming Congress, PM Narendra Modi said that while the BJP was providing relief measures in the flood-hit districts of the state, Congress was enjoying in a resort. In a dig at the Congress’ anti-poaching measures during the Rajya Sabha elections in July, Modi said:

BJP leaders were providing flood relief whereas Congress MLAs were relaxing in swimming pools in resorts in Bengaluru.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

“We have to punish the Congress to improve them because they went to Bangalore when you were suffering during the floods,” said Modi, according to Times of India.

Also Read218 Killed in Gujarat Floods, Over 2 Lakh Affected in Odisha 

Modi also congratulated the Vijay Rupani government for introducing farm loans at 0 percent interest rate. The Indian Express quoted him as saying:

Just imagine, the BJP govt is paying the interest for the farmer’s loans. So, we need your blessings now.

Updated at:8th Dec, 2017 at 11:41 PM

Rahul Gandhi Reaches Chhota Udaipur

Updated at:8th Dec, 2017 at 1:35 PM

Congress Confronts PM on "Rs 20,000 crore GSPC Scam"

The Congress, on 7 December, accused the Gujarat BJP government of providing benefits to crony capitalists while causing losses to public sector entities under then-CM Narendra Modi. Kumar said investigative journalists were raising questions on the role, responsibility and accountability of Prime Minister Modi through a big revelation about the Rs 20,000 crore GSPC scam.

Congress spokesperson Ajoy Kumar raked up the issue of Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) on KG Basin Gas exploration and alleged that losses to the tune of Rs 19,576 crore was caused to the state government. Prime Minister Modi should come clean on the row, Kumar told reporters.

"The country is seeking an answer and accountability of the prime minister. Should there not be an independent probe into the entire GSPC scam? Will the prime minister answer the people of Gujarat and the entire country on the losses caused to the state," he asked.

Updated at:8th Dec, 2017 at 2:33 PM

Campaigning for First Phase of Gujarat Polls Ends

A vituperative campaign for the first phase of the crucial Gujarat Assembly polls that saw emotive issues of religion and caste competing with that of development as the main rivals, BJP and Congress, launched no-holds-barred attacks on each other ended late on 7 December.

The sparring between the two parties while canvassing for the polls, dubbed as a prestige battle for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a litmus test for the leadership of soon-to-be Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, continued till the very end with Mani Shankar Aiyar's "neech aadmi" jibe at Modi triggering a controversy.

A total of 89 seats, out of 18, spanning the Saurashtra and south Gujarat regions, are up for grabs in the first phase with 977 candidates in the fray, including Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

Polling will be held on Saturday, 9 December. Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) BB Swain said around 2.12 crore of the 4.35 crore voters of the state were expected to exercise their franchise on Saturday.

The Election Commission (EC) had earlier announced that Gujarat would be the second state after Goa where the voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) system would be used, along with electronic voting machines (EVMs), at all the 50,128 polling booths.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)

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Updated at:8th Dec, 2017 at 11:41 PM