The first day of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's three-day road show in Saurashtra region of poll-bound Gujarat turned out to be successful with his public meetings attracting a large number of people.
The state police denying permission for a roadshow in an open jeep did not deter the morale of the Congress as Rahul Gandhi hit the campaign trail Patidar community heartland in a decorated bullock-cart.
Gandhi started his visit by offering prayers at the famous Dwarkadhish Temple in Dwarka.
He travelled in a specially designed bullet-proof air conditioned bus that has a rest room and a bed, but when it came to interacting with the locals and party workers, Gandhi didn't seem to care for security as he ventured out into the crowd.
The decision of the Congress to select Saurashtra as the starting point is significant as it is the home turf of Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and sends 58 MLAs to the 182-member state assembly.
Patidar agitation leader Hardik Patel took to Twitter to welcome Gandhi to Gujarat. This move could be seen as an indication of a possible alliance which could take shape ahead of the assembly elections even as the state government is scheduled hold talks with Patidar leaders in a bid to end agitation demanding reservation.
The Congress scion took on Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again, accusing him of failing to keep his promise of providing employment. “They have not fulfilled the promise in three years,” he said.
He claimed that farmers are in distress while corporate companies are benefiting as they are getting land, water and electricity with government support.
He further said if the Congress comes to power, “it will be a government of farmers, poor and the youth.”
It is for the first time since 1991 that a prominent Congress leader chooses to stay in Gujarat for two nights. Former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi had done it in 1991.
Even before his first day's engagement ended, the ruling BJP was ready with a press releases and the chief minister questioned as to why during the Congress rule the gates of the Narmada Dam at the Kevadia Colony were not allowed to close.
Modi recently dedicated the Sardar Sarovar Project to the nation even as the canal network in Gujarat remains incomplete.
