Responding to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Friday's speech giving compilation of slurs used by Congress leaders for him over the past 15 years, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi mocked at the effort saying the Prime Minister has run out of topics therefore making himself as a poll issue.
At a rally in Kanodar in North Gujarat, Rahul said the Prime Minister Modi's lies were completely uncovered and hence, he has been shifting his poll issue first from Narmada waters to OBC reservation and then to Vikas.
"When surrounded by uncovered truth of his claims on 'Vikas' (development), Narendra Modiji made Mani Shankar Aiyar an election issue. Now, he doesn't speak of poor, farmers or corruption. Narendra Modiji's speeches are now all about Narendra Modiji," Rahul told the gathering amid cheers from the crowd. "Let me remind you, these elections are not about Modiji, not about Rahul Gandhi or BJP or Congress. These elections are about the people of Gujarat," he added.
On the day, when the first phase of polling was underway at 89 seats of South Gujarat and Saurashtra, the Congress scion exhumed the confidence of winning the polls and forming the government in the State.
"There is an under-current. A Congress andhi (cyclone) is on the way. The government of businessmen is on its way out. Government of poor, farmers, SMEs and people," Rahul said.
With strong public support to his rallies, Rahul went on to say that the election manifesto released in Gujarat was sufficient for Congress to win even the 2019 general elections. "Most of the issues mentioned in Gujarat manifesto represent public sentiment. And that will be the same nationally too," he said.
Raking up the Dalit atrocities issues in Gujarat, Rahul assured the community of strict action on those responsible for the atrocities. He asked the Prime Minister, "Where was Narendra Modiji when dalit families wanted to meet him? Was he in London, China or Japan when the Patidar women were abused and thrashed?. It is now because of elections he mentions them," Rahul said adding that unlike Modi, "I would never make any promise like Rs 15 lakh in your bank accounts."
The voting for the North Gujarat and Central Gujarat region will take place on December 14 and the results will be out on December 18.