Riding on the development agenda with strong attacks on the opposition Congress party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that those criticising Bullet Train are free to travel in bullock carts.

Indicating to the rapidly changing world and the need to move at a faster pace, Modi said: “The Japanese will make the Bullet Train. But the cement, steel and labour that will go for the manufacturing will go from our soil. This will boost businesses in these areas and will also generate employment. This means, all that you sold, is profit!” Modi told a gathering at Amod in Bharuch district, adding that the Bullet Train will also stop at Bharuch.

Crediting himself for the sustained peace and prosperity in the region and the State, Modi stated that riots and curfews had become events of the past.

“The one who has given communal peace to Bharuch and Gujarat is BJP's brave government,” said Modi on the first day of his two-day visit to the poll-bound State.

The PM's rally started about two hours late from its original scheduled time of 10-30 a.m.

Bharuch district has one of the largest presence of Muslims, who form7-8 per cent of the voters in the State. The Congress has fielded one Muslim candidate from the Vagra constituency. Three out of the seven constituencies in Bharuch and Narmada districts are tribal seats.

In 2012, the BJP won four of five the seats in Bharuch and both the constituencies in Narmada district.

“In Gujarat, Bharuch and Kutch districts have the most Muslim population. But history has revealed that during BJP's rule, among the fastest growing districts were two districts — one was Kutch and the other was Bharuch. Vikas is our maksad and Vikas is our murad ,” the Prime Minister said.

Dig at Congress

Recharged after the BJP’s thumping victory in Uttar Pradesh civic and local body polls, Modi took a dig at the Congress leadership saying that the people of Amethi and Uttar Pradesh have recognised the real face of Congress leaders. “And the people of Gujarat also understand their hypocrisy,” he said.

At a Surendranagar rally later in the day, Modi hit out at the Congress regime for stalling Sardar Sarovar Narmada dam project.

“I ask my sisters here, tell me the truth. Wasn't the water a major issue for you? Didn't you have to walk kilometres to get water? Didn't you have to dig deep borewells. But all that is history now... The BJP has got the Narmada waters here and helped farmers,” he said at a gathering of women and farmers.

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