Gujarat Assembly Election 2017: Rahul Gandhi at Jagannath temple in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad: Rahul Gandhi promised a "zabardast" verdict on the last day of campaigning for the Gujarat assembly election. At a press conference in Ahmedabad that stood in for a cancelled roadshow, Mr Gandhi wrapped up an intense three-month-long campaign with a point-by-point rebuttal of the BJP's many allegations against him including the rival party's attacks over his frequent visits to temples.
Rahul Gandhi's roadshow was planned through the old city while Prime Minister Modi's route was through the newer parts of Ahmedabad, across the river. But the police said there was a possibility of trouble because the routes "were in mutual conflict".
The battle for the crucial state, seen as a PM Modi vs Rahul Gandhi contest, saw the two leaders conduct aggressive campaigns and make sharp, often personal remarks against each other.
Here are the highlights of Rahul Gandhi's visit to Gujarat on last day campaigning:
Dec 12, 2017 17:16 (IST)
Campaigning for Gujarat assembly election 2017 comes to an end. Rahul Gandhi has led his party's aggressive bid to win Gujarat after 22 years of BJP rule, attacking PM Modi and the BJP over mega economic policies notes ban and GST. People will vote for the second and the final phase of state polls on Thursday. Results are scheduled to be declared on December 18.
Dec 12, 2017 17:09 (IST)
Dalits feel insecure in Gujarat, says Rahul Gandhi
Congress' President-elect Rahul Gandhi today hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over alleged atrocities on Dalits in Gujarat, insisting the community feels insecure in the state despite several laws for their protection.
Mr Gandhi wanted to know who will take responsibility for the Una incident where young Dalit men were flogged for skinning a dead cow.
"Neither land, nor employment, no health and no education, Gujarat's dalits received only insecurity.
"PM Modi is silent on Una's tragic incident, but who will take the responsibility for it. A number of laws were made in the name of dalits, but who will execute them earnestly," he said on Twitter.
Dec 12, 2017 17:01 (IST)
Just Wait, Verdict Will Be 'Zabardast', Says Rahul Gandhi Rahul Gandhi has promised a "zabardast" verdict when votes are counted next Monday in the Gujarat assembly elections. At a press conference in Ahmedabad that stood in for a cancelled roadshow, Mr Gandhi wrapped up an intense three-month-long campaign with a point-by-point rebuttal of the BJP's many allegations against him including the rival party's attacks over his frequent visits to temples.
Dec 12, 2017 16:48 (IST)
"Unacceptable", Says Rahul Gandhi On PM Modi's Comments On Manmohan Singh Rahul Gandhi said today that his priority as Congress president will be to "change the nature of political discourse," accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of saying "many wrong things about me," and also reiterating that he will not retaliate in kind. He also said that PM Modi's comments against his predecessor Dr Manmohan Singh over a dinner meeting with Pakistani diplomats last week were "unacceptable".
Dec 12, 2017 16:46 (IST)
Rupal Tadvi, daughter of a soldier who died in the line of duty, met Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi.
There was high drama at Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's election rally at Kevadia Colony in the Vadodara district earlier this month. Ms Tadvi broke the security cordon and made a dash towards the dais where the chief minister was speaking, only to be stopped mid-way and dragged away by policewomen. A video of the incident, showing the woman struggling to escape while being taken away by the police, went viral.
The woman had alleged that the government did not give a piece of land promised to her family after her father, Ashok Tadvi, who was with the BSF, was killed in action.
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Dec 12, 2017 16:03 (IST)
Gujarati dishes in Rahul Gandhi's lunch Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi visited the popular Swati Snacks restaurant in Ahmedabad for lunch this afternoon after his press conference. His menu included dal khichdi, chhash, khichu and sukhdi.
Dec 12, 2017 15:51 (IST)
At his press conference, the Congress leader took on those who raised eyebrows over his visits to temples in Gujarat, wondering if it was wrong to pray for the well-being of people of the state.
Dec 12, 2017 15:50 (IST)
Earlier today, when Rahul Gandhi visited Jagannath temple in Ahmedabad he was seen enjoying kirtan with other devotees. This is the last day for campaigning before Gujarat votes in the final phase of elections on Thursday.
Dec 12, 2017 14:31 (IST)
Congress has kept its focus on Gujarat's issues of small and medium enterprises, farmers, unemployment. For the last 3 months our party has tried to give a vision to Gujarat, says Rahul Gandhi on last day of campaign in Gujarat.
Dec 12, 2017 14:29 (IST)
I aim to improve political discourse in our country: Rahul Gandhi My priority as the president of Congress is to strengthen the party. My aim is to improve the current political discourse in our country, says Rahul Gandhi.
PM Modi is our political opponent. He has said a lot of bad things about me, but I won't say anything objectionable about him, says Mr Gandhi.
Dec 12, 2017 14:02 (IST)
PM Modi's seaplane ride a distraction, says Rahul Gandhi If PM Modi wants to fly in a seaplane that is not wrong, but it is a distraction. The real question is what has been done for the people of Gujarat in the last 22 years, says Rahul Gandhi.
Dec 12, 2017 13:51 (IST)
People of Gujarat has given me a lot of love during the last few months which I will never forget. Wherever I went, I was offered moongfali, dhokla, thepla and I was surprised with their hospitality. The people of Gujarat can approach me whenever they want to, says Rahul Gandhi.
Dec 12, 2017 13:47 (IST)
Rahul Gandhi on Mani Shankar Aiyar's "neech" remark: I have made it clear I will not tolerate such things, PM Modi is after all the Prime Minister, though what all PM Modi said about Manmohan Singh is also not acceptable.
Dec 12, 2017 13:44 (IST)
People of Gujarat are very intelligent, they can see that PM Modi is not talking about corruption or farmers in his rallies. There is a massive undercurrent, I am actually little surprised, I had expected BJP to fight with more strength, says Mr Gandhi.
Dec 12, 2017 13:44 (IST)
PM Modi said 2 crore youth will get jobs, but the reality is in front of us, says Rahul Gandhi in Ahmedabad.
Dec 12, 2017 13:43 (IST)
Wherever I get opportunity I go to temples. I also went to Kedarnath, is that in Gujarat? asks Rahul Gandhi on people linking his temple visits to the state elections.
Dec 12, 2017 13:43 (IST)
Wherever I get opportunity I go to temples. I also went to Kedarnath, is that in Gujarat? asks Rahul Gandhi on people linking his temple visits to the state elections.
Dec 12, 2017 13:36 (IST)
Whatever decision we will make about Gujarat, it will only be done after talking to the people of Gujarat, after listening to their voices. No decision will be taken unilaterally, says Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi.
