The Wednesday morning saw a huge crowd gathering at Vadodara’s otherwise silent Kirti Stambh area. People from different caste, religion and occupation had gathered here to cheer the Gujarat chief minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, who filed his nomination papers for the Vadodara Lok Sabha constituency today.
In a bid to pump the wave of excitement among the voters and BJP supporters, Modi took out a five-km long road show through the heart of the Vadodara city before filing his nomination papers. Remarkable was the participation of large number of people from different communities. Thousands of BJP supporters greeted Modi at different points of the route which included Muslims, Jains, Brahmins, Patels, Maharashtrians, former defence service men among others.
On his arrival at around 10.15 am, vedic chants and mantras were played on the sound systems. The road was covered by the large number of BJP flags and saffron caps worn by the workers and BJP supporters. M.S. University students along with housewives, children and elderly joined Modi in his journey to a ‘larger role’.
“I began (political journey) from Saurashtra, then I went to north Gujarat and now the party has given me the responsibility in Central Gujarat…. I am confident that the people of Vadodara will come out in large numbers to support me and vote for BJP,” Modi told media persons after filing the nomination at around 11.40 am.
In a symbolic gesture, a tea local vendor and a BJP member for 25 years, Kiran Mahida was given a chance to propose Modi’s nomination. “This is an honour for me. It is a proud moment that the city of Vadodara is going to elect the future Prime Minister of India,” he told Business Line .
After filing his nomination papers, Modi made a pitch for good governance on the lines of the erstwhile ruler of Baroda State Maharaja Saiyajirao Gaekwad. “I was born in Vadnagar in North Gujarat, a part of the erstwhile Baroda state. My primary schooling happened at a school built by them. I have been blessed with that legacy,” Modi said in his brief address to the media.
Rajmata Shubhanginiraje Scindia of the Royal Gaekwad Family also remained present as a supporter for Modi at the time of filing the nomination.
The four-time Chief Minister of Gujarat had chosen Vadodara for Lok Sabha debut after he had announced his nomination from Varanasi seat in Uttar Pradesh.
In the last Lok Sabha elections, BJP had secured maximum vote share in Vadodara among the 26 seats of the State.
Narendra Modi was accompanied by BJP leaders, Om Mathur and State party chief, R.C. Faldu besides ministers, Anandiben Patel, Nitin Patel, and Akota MLA and Vadodara in-charge Saurabh Patel.