Modi’s Seaplane a ‘Distraction’ From Real Issues in Gujarat: Rahul

“We cannot have airports everywhere, so our government has planned to have these seaplanes,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi onboard the seaplane on Tuesday, 12 December.

(Photo Courtesy: @Sunil_Deodhar/Twitter)

Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, 12 December, saying his “seaplane is a mere distraction from the real issues faced by Gujarat.” Modi flew from the Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad to Dharoi Dam in Mehsana district in a seaplane on the last day of campaigning for the Gujarat Assembly polls.

Modi boarded the single-engine seaplane from the Sardar Bridge connecting the old city with Ahmedabad West. A special jetty was constructed to facilitate the boarding for the Prime Minister.

The plane took off near the Sardar Bridge amid chants of “Modi-Modi” from BJP workers, who flocked the Sabarmati riverfront to witness the event.

The plane then landed at the Dharoi dam reservoir.

PM Modi onboard the seaplane.

Eager onlookers at the riverfront.

The seaplane lands at the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad

Modi alights from the seaplane at Ahmedabad

Modi waves to a crowd of onlookers in Ahmedabad

From Dharoi, the Prime Minister proceeded to Ambaji temple in Banaskantha district. Later in the evening, he would return to Ahmedabad in the seaplane.

Modi said the BJP had planned a road show in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, 12 December. “However, the administration did not give permission for the same, and since I had time, I decided to go to Ambaji in the seaplane... We cannot have airports everywhere, so our government has planned to have these seaplanes,” Modi said told media persons.

PTI quoted Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani as saying on Monday, 11 December, that this was for the first time in the country’s history that a seaplane would land on a water body, and that would be the Sabarmati river.

Cong’s “Hawa-Hawai” Jibe at PM

The Opposition was quick to take a dig at the PM’s seaplane ride. Congress spokerperson Randeep Surjewala tweeted:

Commenting on Modi’s choice of transport, Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel said he’s happy that India has its first seaplane, and such technology could be used to benefit farmers.

(With inputs from PTI)

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