Gujarat Assembly Election: PM Modi rides a seaplane on the last day of campaigning.
New Delhi:
Gujarat assembly election campaign is in the last lap after both BJP and Congress, over the last few weeks, were seen accusing each other of failing people in different ways.
In what is being viewed as his sharpest attack against Congress, PM Narendra Modi on Monday, while speaking at a rally, said Congress was entrapped in a 'Blue Whale' challenge. He was referring to the controversial online game, which culminates in the player committing suicide and usually attracts vulnerable teens.
PM Modi, who led the election campaign in his home state, has made several remarks against the Congress in the last few days as the grand old party tries to gain ground in the state where BJP has been ruling for over two decades.
PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi were earlier scheduled to attend roadshows in Ahmedabad today, however,
police denied permission on Monday citing law and order situation.
Here are the highlights from the last day of election campaign in Gujarat.
Campaigning on the final day for the Gujarat election comes to an end.
PM Modi reached Ahmedabad after visiting the temple.
The BJP on its official account posted a video showing PM Modi going to Ambaji temple. He was seen waving the people who lined up the streets.
In Gujarat, the second phase of voting will take place on Thursday and the results will be declared on December 18. The election has turned into a prestige battle for both the national parties, - BJP and Congress.
Here's where you can watch Rahul Gandhi's press conference.
Modi ji agar seaplane mein udna chahte hain toh kuch ghalat nahi, acchi baat hai lekin ye ek distraction hai, asli sawaal hai 22 saal mein janta ke liya kya kiya? (There's nothing wrong with PM Modi flying a seaplane. But this is just a distraction. The real question is what has BJP done for Gujarat in 22 years?): Rahul Gandhi at presser
"I have cleared my position, through my words and actions. The way Mani Shankar Aiyar spoke about Modi ji, was unacceptable and we took action. The way Modi ji spoke about (former prime minister) Manmohan Singh was unacceptable. MMS worked hard for the country," Rahul Gandhi said at a press conference today. Mani Shankar Aiyar was dismissed from Congress last week after calling PM Modi "neech".
Referring to the attacks over his temple visits, Rahul Gandhi Ahmedabad said today, "Whenever I went to a temple I just prayed for a 'Sunehra Bhavishya' (bright future) for the people of Gujarat, a better development here. Is it wrong to go to a temple?"
We are confident of winning in Gujarat: Rahul Gandhi
"In the last 22 years, under (Vijay) Rupani ji and (Narendra) Modi ji's rule, people haven't benefitted in the state," Rahul Gandhi said at press conference today.
"BJP has failed to maintain its position in the election," he added.
"In every meeting, PM Modi always spoke about corruption, but now he has stopped using the word bhrashtachar (corruption)."
Rahul Gandhi is now holding a press conference.
PM Narendra Modi offered prayers at Ambaji Temple in Gujarat's Banaskantha after riding the seaplane.
Congress President-elect Rahul Gandhi started the day with a visit to Shree Jagannathji temple.
After his Ahmedabad roadshow was cancelled, PM Modi took off this morning in a seaplane from the Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad and landed at Dharoi Dam - about 180 km away - to go to the famous Ambaji temple in Mehsana. He will fly back to Ahmedabad the same way.