Narendra ModiBhuj: Prime minister Narendra Modi kicked off BJP's election campaign in Gujarat by lashing out at the Congress and boosting the morale of party workers on Monday.
Modi captivated the crowd that had gathered to listen to him by narrating the success story of Bhuj, which was destroyed in the 2001 earthquake and later grew into a well-known tourism destination of today.
Addressing the tens of thousands of people at the Lalan college ground in Bhuj city, Modi said that Gujarat is witnessing the fight between development and dynasty.
It was Modi's first election rally. Modi addressed three more rallies in the state on Monday.
"The BJP is not only seeking your votes for power, but also for the 125-crore people of India. The Congress is blindly opposing the notes ban. But, I am also from the same land that gave birth to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. I won't allow anybody to loot this country."
"If you see how the September 11 terror attacks in Mumbai and the terror attack in Uri were handled then you will understand the difference between the BJP and the Congress."
"When Chinese army entered Doklam, the Congress was giving handshakes to the Chinese ambassador," Modi said.
“The Rann of Kutch was here earlier too. But it became a world-renowned tourist destination when I was the chief minister. Here, on the one side there is desert and Pakistan on the other. Agriculture is thriving here. Tourism has given jobs to many people. The water that flowed in Kutch used to be in black color. Now, ever since the Narmada water has reached here, the situation has changed."
"I stayed here for three days when earthquake struck Kutch in 2001. The lessons that I learnt then helped me in developing the area. If the Congress wanted, they could have brought the Narmada water to Kutch 30 years ago. The Congress always tries to down play the development achieved by Gujarat. The more mud-slinging they indulge in, the more lotus will bloom here," Modi told an applauding audience.
The rally that was to start at 9am began two hours late. Modi addressed the rally after visiting the Ashapura Mata temple.
