Eyeing Support for Polls, ‘Honest’ Leader Rahul Ends Gujarat Yatra
Rahul Gandhi will start his campaign by visiting Dwarkadhish temple in Dwarka.
advertisement
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi wrapped up his three-day Navsarjan Yatra in Gujarat’s Saurashtra region on 27 September ahead of the crucial Assembly polls this year. The region has been electorally tough for the Congress for the last two decades, and it won only 12 of the 52 seats here in the 2012 Assembly elections.
During his three-day campaign, Rahul lashed out at the BJP-led state government for running the administration by a “remote control”. He further censured Prime Minister Narendra Modi government’s GST regime saying he would pressurise it to simplify the norms.
- Rahul Gandhi ends his three-day Navsarjan Yatra by addressing a public meeting in Rajkot district
- On day 3 of his campaign, the Congress leader held discussions with women at Chobari village and farmers in Chotila
- The Congress scion attacked the BJP and PM Modi on GST, demonetisation, ‘Make in India’ initiative and farm polices
- On 26 September, the Congress VP said that the Gujarat government is being run by a remote control
Rahul Gandhi Visits Four Temple on Day 3
Apparently seeking to showcase the Congress’ soft Hindutva, Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday offered prayers at four temples in Gujarat before wrapping up his visit, a move his party said was aimed at countering the hardline Hindutva of the BJP and RSS.
Starting his tour from Rajkot, Gandhi visited a temple in Chotila.
In the evening, Gandhi visited Khodal Dham temple in Kagvad village to offer prayers to Khodiyar Mata, the reigning deity of the Leuva Patel community.
On his arrival, Gandhi was greeted by a large number of Patidars, who chanted their signature slogan - ‘Jai Sardar, Jai Patidar’ to welcome the Congress leader.
On his way to Jetpur from Kagvad, Gandhi also paid a visit to a temple dedicated to Dasi Jeevan, revered by Dalits and Buddhists.
He also made an unscheduled visit to another shrine – Jalaram temple – in Veerpur in Rajkot district.
Rahul Interacts With Women at Chobari Village
Rahul Addresses Kisan Sabha in Chotila
Rahul Gandhi At Chamunda Mataji Temple
Rahul's Itinerary in Gujarat for 27 September
10:00 am: Visit to Shri Chamunda Mataji Temple, Chotila, Surendranagar district
11:00 am: Kisan Sabha at New APMC Ground, Chotila, Surendranagar district
12:00 pm: Choupal with village women at Chobari village, Surendranagar district
1:15 pm: Corner Meeting at Jasdan, Rajkot district
3:30 pm: Visit to Shree Khodaldham Temple, Kagvad, Rajkot district
4:00 pm: Public meeting at Gymkhana Ground, Jetpur, Rajkot district
"An Honest Politician Suffers Most"
While interacting with small and medium entrepreneurs, teachers and doctors at Hemu Gandhavi Auditorium in Rajkot, Rahul Gandhi said, “The most difficult job in India is to be an honest politician. An honest politician suffers the most and I have experienced it.”
He assured the trader community that he would pressure the government to simplify the Goods and Services Tax.
The GST has hit the small and medium industry badly, he said.
Rahul Gandhi Ends Day With Garba
Rahul Gandhi ended his day by visiting a dandya pandal in Rajkot. He arrived at the pandal around 11:30 pm, and was seen with fellow Congress leaders Bharatsinh Solanki and Ashok Gehlot.
Rahul Gandhi Speaks Interacts with Business Community
Interacting with business community in Rajkot, Rahul Gandhi said that there was no planning in the implementation of GST. He also mentioned that Dr. Manmohan Singh had called demonetization a ‘criminal act’ right after its announcement.
Rahul Gandhi Addresses Kisan Sabha at Tankara
Speaking at the Kisan Sabha at Tankara, Morbi, Rahul Gandhi promised the people that if the Congress is voted into power, then the government would be run by farmers, workers and poor people.
"Sardar Patel's Statue Will Bear 'Made in China' Label"
En route Rajkot, Rahul Gandhi, while speaking in Dhrol town, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 'Make in India’ initiative is a failure and that the Sardar Patel’s ‘Statue of Unity’ will carry a label of ‘Made in China’ at the back. “It is shameful,” he added.
He said that the Modi government hit the Patidars with bullets, but the Congress wants to carry every individual ahead with love and brotherhood.
The Quint Reports From Gujarat's Morbi district
"Gujarat Govt Being Run Using a Remote Control"
Addressing the crowd at Jamnagar’s Rampar Patia, the Congress scion lashed out at the BJP government saying “it doesn’t work for the people, but only 5-6 industrialists”.
"Run Gujarat Govt From Gujarat, Not Delhi"
Rahul Gandhi, while addressing the crowd today in Jamnagar’s Khijadiya, said, “The elections are coming. The government of Gujarat should run from Gujarat and not from Delhi.”
Rahul Meets Business Community, Party Workers
Rahul Gandhi, along with senior Congress leader and former Gujarat Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, met businessmen, traders, and party workers in Jamnagar on Tuesday.
Rahul's Itinerary in Gujarat for 26 September
10:15 am: Corner meeting with workers and supporters at Rampur Patia, Jamnagar district.
11:00 am: Corner meeting with workers and supporters at Gandhi Chowk, Dhrol, Jamnagar district.
12:30 pm: Kisan Sabha at Tankara, Morbi district.
1:45 pm: Interaction with dairy farmers at Pipalia Raj village, Morbi district.
2:30 pm: Meeting with elected cooperative representatives at Milk Plant, near Amarsar Railway crossing, Morbi district.
5:30 pm: Interaction with intellectuals, businessman, entrepreneurs at Hemu Gadhavi Hall in Rajkot.
Watch Rahul Gandhi Addressing a Rally on Day 1 of Gujarat Campaign
“Who made the country? The farmer. Yet when it's time to help the farmer, everyone remains silent,” Rahul Gandhi said.
Villagers Complain of Losing Land Under Gujarat Govt's Satellite Survey
The coastal highway stretching between Dwarka to Jamnagar was full of excited supporters waiting for Rahul Gandhi’s roadshow but inside the villages, where Gandhi campaigned in a bullock cart the excitement seemed to be waning.
Speaking to The Quint, the villagers mostly comprising of farmers complained about losing land under the new satellite mapping.
Earlier in July the Congress had criticised the Gujarat state government's policies for farmers, claiming that there were irregularities in the new aeriel survey of land, which was a part of National Land Records Modernization Programme.
Rahul's Bullock Cart Vs Modi's Bullet Train in Hanjrapar's Khap?
Rahul will be visiting a village called Hanjdapar in Dwarka district in a bullock cart to converse with the villagers.
Watch The Quint’s ground report from Hanjdapar in the video below:
Watch: Rahul Starts His Campaign in Gujarat's Dwarka District
Addressing his supporters, Rahul Gandhi said that BJP does not have the best interest of the poor. “Only the rich have a place in their hearts,” he said, adding that all that will change when the Congress comes to power in Gujarat.
Rahul in Dwarkadhish Temple to Seek Blessings Before Campaign
Hardik Patel Welcomes Rahul in Gujarat
The leader of Patidar agitation, Hardik Patel, welcomed Rahul Gandhi on his three-day campaign visit. The Patidar community has been upset with the BJP government over matters of reservation.
Rahul to Woo Patidars at Gujarat?
At the first stop of his campaign route, in Dwarka, Gandhi may be aiming to gain support of the Patidars, as it is a stronghold of the community who have been upset with the BJP over matters of reservations. Moreover, most farmers of the region also belongs to the Patidar community.
Rahul Arrives at Dwarka, En Route Dwarkadhish Temple
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi has arrived in Dwarka for his three-day Navsarjan Yatra. He was received by party national general secretary Ashok Gehlot.
Commoners Want to Fix Gujarat: Shakti Singh Gohil
Ahead of Gandhi’s campaign, The Quint caught up with Congress spokesperson from Gujarat Shakti Singh Gohil, who said that Gujarat is tired of the BJP.
Responding to the resignation of seven MLAs from the Congress, he said "there's always something to lose in a big test."
Police Disallows Open-Jeep Road Show for Rahul
The state police refused Rahul Gandhi permission to hold an open-Jeep road show, to cover the 135 km stretch from Dwarka to Jamnagar, citing security reasons.
Gandhi would now be taking a special luxury bus equipped with CCTV cameras. The open-Jeep connect with the people might not be possible for now.
However, this does not seem to have dampened the spirits of Congress workers; for instance, in Hanjrapar village some 25 km from Dwarka, Gandhi will enter in a traditionally decked up bullock-cart.
Will Rahul's Campaign Break Congress' Dry Spell in Gujarat?
Over a fortnight after Gandhi held a lively interaction with thousands of party workers at Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati riverfront, the 47-year-old Congress scion is going out on a whirlwind tour of the Saurashtra region, which sends one-third of the legislators in the 182-member State Assembly, from the famous religious town of Dwarka.
Party Target
This time the party is looking at significantly improving the tally given the Patidar sentiment against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the overall farmer distress.
Congress hopes that Gandhi's staying put in the region for the first time for three days at a stretch will pep up the party cadre and energise them to work for victory, sinking all their differences.
Rahul Prepares for Poll-Bound Gujarat
Upon returning from the US, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will kickstart his party's election campaign in poll-bound Gujarat on 25 September.
Over a fortnight after he held a lively interaction with thousands of party workers at Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati riverfront, the Congress scion is going on a whirlwind tour of the Saurashtra region.
He will also interact with elected panchayat representatives at Vadtra village in Dwarka district, and farmers, fishermen and traders in both Dwarka and Jamnagar.
The state will witness Assembly elections at the end of this year.
Rahul's Itinerary in Gujarat for 25 September
11:00 am: Visit to Dwarkadhish Temple, Dwarka District
12:30 pm: Corner Meeting with Workers & Supporters at Bhatiya Village
1:45 pm: Village Chaupal at Hanjdapar Village, Dwarka District
2:30 pm: Interaction with Elected Panchayat Representatives at Vadtra Village,
3:15 pm: Corner Meeting with Farmers at Milan Chauraha, Village Khambhaliya,
5:30 pm: Meeting with Fishermen at Vasai Village, Jamnagar District
7:00 pm: Meeting with Traders at Chandi Bazar, Jamnagar District
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)
- Access to all paywalled content on site
- Ad-free experience across The Quint
- Early previews of our Special Projects
Published: 24 Sep 2017,10:48 PM IST