Comments
In the last leg of campaigning for the polls, it is all about Gujarati pride and son of soil for Narendra Modi, chief minister of the state and BJP's prime ministerial candidate.
On the last day of campaigning on his home turf, Modi made an emotional appeal to the Gujarati voters at Kheralu in Mehsana constituency, asking them to consider his Gujarati roots and decide whether or not 'the son of the soil' should serve the country.
“The election in Gujarat is not about Congress or BJP. It is also not about whom you choose as member of parliament (MP). In this election, you have to consider only one thing, (to elect) the son of Gujarat’s soil,” Modi said the gathering in his address this morning. The campaigning for the seventh-phase of polls ends Monday evening. Gujarat also will vote on April 30.
During the address in his mother tongue, Modi said, “ Have jaati-jaati na vaada nai, gam-gam na jhaghda nai, BJP-Congress nai. Ek j vaat. Gujarat no chokro. Apdu santan, aa ek j mantra lai ne chalie .” (Now, do not consider caste differences, no local conflicts, no BJP or Congress. Only thing is Gujarat’s son, son of soil – that’s the only mantra.)
Terming this as a once-in-a-century opportunity, he told the gathering, “Earlier Sardar (Patel) had got this opportunity. But we lost it. Had he become the PM then, we wouldn't have to worry now.”
Notably, Gujarat’s soil had given a Prime Minister in Morarji Desai during 1977-1979.
In his 20-minute speech at Kheralu, where only last week Congress president Sonia Gandhi had held a public rally, Modi said, “Gujarati people are smart. They know that there will be greater benefit by electing a PM from Gujarat than electing a Congress MP. They will show their smartness in this election.”
The BJP eyes a clean sweep in Gujarat by winning all 26 seats. However, political observers find it a tough task for the party. As the poll date approaches closer, BJP has raked up Gujarati card in its recent campaigns. The print advertisements featuring Modi appeals voters to bring a ‘Gujarati pride’ to power.
This is seen as an attempt to connect Gujarat’s voters with the PM candidate and translate their sentiments into votes.
Comments
COMMENT NOW
Comments
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.