The war of words between the BJP and Congress leaders will intensify in the coming days if the launch of the ruling dispensation's 'Gujarat Gaurav Yatra' from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's home town Karamsad in central Gujarat, on Sunday, is any indication.
If Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi took a dig at the development under the BJP during his recently concluded first phase of Resurgence Gujarat Yatra, BJP national president Amit Shah hit out at Gandhi. Shah said that Rahul Gandhi was asking for an account of the development in Gujarat, whereas the BJP was asking about the injustice meted out by three generations of his party leaders to the state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to arrive for the culmination of the yatra in mid-October.
Gujarat, with its 182-seat assembly, goes to polls by the end of the year.
Shah's speech, however, was marred by a group of protesters, who created a ruckus and shouted slogans jai sardar, jai patidar. They were picked up by the police. The protesters were reportedly from Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti that was spearheading the pro-reservation quota agitation for more than two years.
Only a few days ago, the state government announced several measures in a bid to pacify the Patidars ahead of elections. However, PAAS has said that their agitation for quota would continue.
Shah said that people of Gujarat would give a fitting reply to the Congress in the upcoming elections. He also accused the Congress of meting out injustice to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The national BJP president said that the Gaurav Yatra would fetch an overwhelming victory for the party. He said that Narendra Modi has given corruption-free governance and presented Gujarat model before the nation.
He also compared the funds received by Gujarat when UPA and NDA were at the Centre.
This is the second edition of the Gaurav Yatra. The first was taken out by Modi as the chief minister of Gujarat after post-Godhra riots and before the assembly elections in 2002, which the BJP won easily.
