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

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.

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

Tomorrow at 9:30 AM I will travel from Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad to Dharoi Dam via sea plane. After that will offer prayers to Maa Amba at Ambaji. With air, roads & rail connectivity, our Government is making efforts for harnessing waterways. All this is for 125 crore Indians!

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 11, 2017

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:

गुजरात की जनता परेशान,
पर मेरा जीवन तो आलीशान। pic.twitter.com/IbsNMS7C8p

— Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) December 12, 2017

‘विकास’ की बातें ऊनको न भाई,
कहते हैं ऊनको ‘हवा-हवाई’। pic.twitter.com/lvHAx16lpu

— Randeep S Surjewala (@rssurjewala) December 12, 2017

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.

sea plane दूसरे देशों में बहुत समय से हैं।आज हमारे गुजरात में आया हैं काफ़ी ख़ुश हूँ।लेकिन चुनाव के अगले दिन ही आया वो बढ़िया बात हैं।किसान किट नाशक दवाई भी Plane से डाल सके एसा कुछ कीजिए

— Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) December 12, 2017

(With inputs from PTI)

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