Claiming credit for peace and prosperity in the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday appealed to the people of Bharuch in South Gujarat to re-elect a BJP government for continued communal peace and safety.

On the first day of a two-day visit to the poll-bound state, Modi addressed a large gathering at Amod in Bharuch district saying, "There was a time when there were frequent communal riots in Bharuch. And Amod town used to remain under curfew for months. Such incidents have become a thing of the past. BJP's brave government has given communal peace to Bharuch."

Bharuch district has one of the largest populations of the Muslim community, which forms about 7-8 per cent of the voters in the state. The Congress party has fielded one Muslim candidate from the Vagra constituency, while three seats out of seven constituencies in Bharuch and Narmada districts are tribal seats.

"In Gujarat, Bharuch and Kutch districts have the highest Muslim population. But history has revealed that during BJP's rule, among the fastest growing districts were the two districts. One was Kutch and the other was Bharuch. "Vikas" is our " maksad " and Vikas is our " murad "," the Prime Minister said.

Recharged after the party's thumping victory in the Uttar Pradesh civic and local body polls, Modi took a dig at the Congress leadership saying that the people of Amethi and Uttar Pradesh have recognised the real face of Congress leaders. "And the people of Gujarat also understand their hypocrisy," he said.

Modi hit out at the Nehru-Gandhi family over hypocrisy and neglecting the region. "When Rajiv Gandhi was the Prime Minister he used to claim himself to be a son of this region. Indira Gandhi claimed she was your daughter-in-law. Now their family members also do the same. But when it comes to addressing development issues in the region, they lose that connect," he said.

Modi also reiterated the 2018 target set for completion of the ambitious statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Kevadia near the Sardar Sarovar Dam. "People go the US to see the Statue of Liberty. In two years from now, people from across the world will come here to see the Statue of Unity. This will boost tourism in Bharuch."

"In the coming days, we are planning to develop islands on the western coast of the country. There are about 1,300 such islands. We have appointed a former Navy chief to head a committee for development of the islands. These projects will help to give a push to development," Modi said.

On the another ambitious development project, Bullet Train, the Prime Minister hit out at critics, saying that those who don't believe in the project, can use bullock carts instead.

"Japan will make the Bullet Train. But the cement, steel and labour that will go into manufacturing will go from our soil. This will boost businesses in these areas and will also generate employment. This means all that you sold is profit!" Modi told the gathering, adding that the Bullet Train will also have a stop at Bharuch.

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