‘Riots in Gujarat stopped only after 2003’

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Monday filed his nomination papers for the Assembly elections from the Rajkot West constituency.

Ahead of filing his nomination, Rupani took a scooter ride on the narrow lanes of Rajkot, his hometown, and reached out to his supporters.

Addressing a public meeting, he said: “The Congress is asking for a chance to rule Gujarat. They had all the chances for 45 years after Independence. What they gave was frequent riots and anarchy. It is only after 2003 the riots have stopped. Our government has given peace and communal harmony in the State. BJP, Modi and Gujarat are the synonyms of progress.”

A former Mayor of the city, Rupani had first contested from Rajkot West constituency in October 2014, after former Gujarat Speaker Vajubhai Vala and seven-time MLA from the seat was made Karnataka Governor the previous month.

Rupani’s popularity in the constituency could be measured from the voting margin he received in the by-polls in 2014, when he defeated his opponent Jayanti Kalaria from the Congress with a margin of over 23,000 votes.

Arun Jaitley, who accompanied Rupani for nomination filing, said the BJP has provided a stable government in Gujarat. “The BJP government stands for growth, stability and development. The forces that are fighting against us represent anarchy. In the past two and a half decades, the BJP has provided a stable government with progress...The opposition forces are making efforts to bring a situation of anarchy in Gujarat.”

Traditionally considered a safe ground for the BJP, Rajkot West became a tough battle after the Congress fielded Indranil Rajguru against Rupani. Rajguru is the sitting MLA from Rajkot East.

Rajkot West is not only the largest constituency in the Saurashtra region with over 3.15 lakh voters, but also has a high concentration of businessmen, entrepreneurs, academicians and influencers who have traditionally been BJP supporters.

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