Even as Gujarat has begun voting for the first phase of assembly elections on Thursday, the ruling BJP is not leaving anything to chance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have mega programmes planned throughout the day.
The people’s outreach by the top BJP leadership is aimed at boosting the party’s campaign even in the areas that are voting on Thursday. Though campaigning drew to a close in the 89 constituencies, the appeals by both Modi and Shah will be beamed by television channels and party social media accounts, thereby reaching out to the voters.
The BJP is locked in a three-cornered contest with the opposition Congress and new entrant Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Modi began his day with a message to the voters of Gujarat on his social media accounts. “Today is the first phase of the Gujarat elections. I call upon all those voting today, particularly first-time voters to exercise their franchise in record numbers,” it said.
Addressing a public rally in Kalol, Modi spoke about the investment that is to come in Gujarat. He specifically mentioned how the youth will get jobs. In a first, Modi is to have a 'pushpanjali' tour. BJP sources said that he would garland the statues of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay. He will not deliver any speech anywhere. It isn’t clear whether he will go in an open jeep or not.
It is for the first time that the PM is covering a major part of the city in such a manner.
The exercise is aimed at negating the growing influence of the AAP in the urban poor pockets of Ahmedabad. Kejriwal’s announcement of 300 units of free electricity every month, Rs 1,000 per month to women above 18 years and Rs 3,000 unemployment allowance to youth till they get employment is getting good response from several pockets.
The route that begins from Naroda village ends at Chandkheda. During the route, the PM will garland the statues of the leaders and he will be welcomed at 35 places. A large number of people are expected to gather on either side of the road to have a glimpse of the PM.
The BJP’s decision to give ticket to Dr Payal Kukrani had received flak from many quarters as her father Manoj Kukrani is a convict in Naroda Patiya massacre. He is currently out on bail. There was discontent in the Sindhi community also as they demanded that a Sindhi candidate be given a ticket. They said that Payal is now married to a non-Sindhi.
Modi’s strategy to begin the route from Naroda will cheer up the BJP voters and supporters of the area. Shah had a roadshow in Sanand, near Ahmedabad in the morning, and in the afternoon he will have a public meeting in Visnagar, North Gujarat.
