Gujarat elections Highlights: Rahul Gandhi targets Rupani govt, says they work for industrialists and exploit tribals

Addressing a rally in Porbandar, Gandhi hit out at BJP and PM Modi for the benefits that he claimed were given to Tata Motors’s Nano car plant in Sanand. Addressing a gathering of fisherfolk, Rahul said the state government was ready with money for “a few industrialists” but was not willing to spare Rs 300 crore on subsidised diesel and kerosene for fishermen.

Gujarat elections Highlights:

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8:18 pm: Rahul Gandhi says, “hum mann ki baat sunenge nahi sunayenge (We will not tell you our Mann ki Baat, we will listen to yours).”

8:16 pm: Congress leader says they will not make fake promises of Rs 15 lakh in common man’s bank account but will invest on people and not on industrialists.

8:14 pm: Amid loud cheers from Adivasi Adhikar Sabha, Gandhi says we will safeguard and secure your lands, resources and provide employment.

8:12 pm: Rahul Gandhi targets Gujarat government saying they work for industrialists and exploit the tribals. Gandhi adds we brought the land acquisition bill, but Modiji has tried to revoke the bill, especially in Gujarat assembly.

8:08 pm: Congress VP says, “BJP is full of magicians and there is one man who can make Rs 50,000 in Rs 80 crore by magic, his name is Jay Shah(zada) kha gaya, but Modi ji says nothing.”

8:01 pm: Gandhi says that Modi government in Gujarat snatched farmland from tribals and gave it away to one company for manufacturing TATA Nano, but no one can spot a single Nano on roads.

7:58 pm: Congress VP takes to stage, says, BJP has expert Jadugar (Modi) showing his tricks for last 22 years, but this time BJP is fearing. Gandhi says Modi government had promised Rs 15,000 crore for tribals in 2007 election, in 2012 he promised Rs 40,000 crore now he will come and promise Rs 1 lakh crore for tribals.

7:56 pm: The previous government promised a lot saying “Acche Din Aayenge”, but there has been no change, says Gehlot.

7:55 pm: Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, speaking at the Dahod rally, says that the Congress has seen great response and support from people across the state for Congress.

7:30 pm: Congress VP holds a public rally in Dahod and addresses Adivasi Adhikar Sabha in the poll-bound state.

6:20 pm: Rahul Gandhi met with people in Fatehpura constituency in the tribal-dominated region of Dahod district on Saturday.

Rahul Gandi meeting people in Dahod district.

5:11 pm: While Congress VP addresses rallies across Gujarat, party workers protested against their leader Himmatsinh Patel who has been given the ticket to contest from Bapunagar assembly seat.

Also Read | In poll-bound Gujarat, Rahul Gandhi targets PM Modi over Rafale deal, Jay Shah issue

4:30 pm: People in Dahod district, where the Congress VP will be visiting next, have gathered in large numbers to hear his address.

3:38 pm: Rahul Gandhi is addressing a rally in Lunavada in Gujarat. Gandhi says, “In the storm of demonetisation and Gabbar Singh Tax (GST) which ravaged 1000 of companies, unemployed lakhs, out of that storm rose a new company, Jay Shah(zada) kha gaya.”

3:20 pm: Congress VP met with people from Bayad, Arravali and discussed the problems being faced by farmers in the area.

1.52 pm: PM Modi had said “na khaonga, na khaane dunga.” (Will neither be corrupt nor allow corruption). His new slogan now seems to be “na bolonga, na bolnedunga” (Will neither talk, nor allow to talk). Every year in November the doors of parliament are open for discussion and debates. This year the doors of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha will open after the Gujarat polls. This is because PM Modi doesn’t want to discuss Rafale deal or Jay Shah’s company

1.49 pm: I have three questions for PM Modi. “Did he or did he not increase the price of Rafale aircrafts? Why did he take away the contract from the designated company and gave it to a company known to him? And did he follow the due procedure of following the deal through the cabinet?”

1.46 pm: Lakhs of people have been left unemployed. However, magically one company has earned a huge margin of profits. After this meeting, you can go and ask any businessman in Gujarat if it is possible to convert  Rs 50,000 to 80 crore. Everyone out there will tell you this is not possible without corruption. India has only company who can do get these magical numbers and that is Jay Shah’s company. “Shah Zada kha Gaya.”

1.29 pm: Rahul Gandhi has reached Bayad in Aravalli district.

1.18 pm: A group of people waved black flags at the Congress scion asking him to go back. Gandhi’s convoy which is now on its way to Bayad in Aravalli district had stopped briefly as few people wanted to meet the Congress leader.

Gujarat elections LIVE updates: A group of people stopped Rahul Gandhi’s car to meet him on his way to Bayad in Aravalli district (Express photo by Satish Jha)

12.51 pm: 

Gujarat elections LIVE updates: Rahul Gandhi in Dahegam  (Express photo by Javed Raja)

Gujarat Elections Live Updates: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi starts second day of his election campaign from Dehgam, Gandhinagar district. (Express photo by Javed Raja)

12.16 pm: “Mai Desh Bhakt hoon isiliye Kah Raha hoon ki Desh ko aage badhana hai toh Gujarat ki shakti ka prayog hona chahiye,” says Gandhi in Gujarat. (I am a patriot and that is why I am telling that Gujarat is essential for country’s development)

12.09 pm: Continuing his attacks against PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi asked the prime minister to explain the truth behind Rafale deal. “Doors of parliament closed since Modiji doesn’t want the truth on Rafale deal, Amit Shah’s son’s firm comes out. Modiji should explain Rafale deal and why defence minister was catching fish in Goa when the deal was struck in France.”

11.40 am: The Congress leader also extended his condolences to MP and former AICC Gen. Secretary Madhusudan Mistry on the death of his son Parikshit Mistry.

Rahul Gandhi visited the home of MP and former AICC Gen. Secretary Madhusudan Mistry ji to convey his condolences on the untimely passing away of his son Parikshit Mistry. pic.twitter.com/qeSAfe2unj

— Congress (@INCIndia) November 25, 2017

11.20 am: Rahul Gandhi paid visit to the family of AICC secretary and former Rajya Sabha MP who passed away recently

CVP Rahul Gandhi visited the residence of former MP and AICC Secretary Mirza Irshad Baig ji, who passed away recently, to convey his condolences. pic.twitter.com/Z1i8Os4hPi

— Congress (@INCIndia) November 25, 2017

10.21 am: During an interactive session with the teachers in Gujarat on Friday, Rahul Gandhi hugged a part-time woman lecturer after listening to her plight. “Even after 22 years of service as a part-time lecturer, our salary is just Rs 12,000 per month… We were not even granted maternity leave. We have seen some of the worst days of our life during this service. Now, the government is planning to annul our entire service by offering us Rs 40,000 salary under a fixed-pay regime. Like others, we also wanted to retire with pension benefits to be able to live a respectable life,” Ranjana Avasthi, a PhD holder said wanting to know what the Congress plans to do for teaching community.

To this, Rahul replied, “Sometimes such questions come us to which we cannot reply in words.” Saying this, he walked to the centre of the hall and hugged her. Terming the fixed-salary system as “unfair” Gandhi promised that the party will focus on building a robust public education and healthcare system in Gujarat.

Gujarat elections LIVE updates: Rahul Gandhi hugs part-time teacher Ranjana Awasthi at an event in Nikol. (Twitter)

10.05 am: PM Modi will also lead the BJP campaign in Gujarat from November 27 to 29. He will campaign in different parts of Saurashtra and south Gujarat. Several BJP leaders are also expected to mark their attendance.

10.02 am: Three candidates from Congress filled nomination form for Vadodara’s Savli constituency on Friday. The candiates will have to submit political mandate by their party before 3pm on 27 November. In case, they fail to do so their candidature will be cancelled, reports ANI.

10.00 am:

Day 2 of Gujarat Yatra takes Congress VP Rahul Gandhi to the districts of Gandhinagar, Aravalli, Mahisagar, and Dahod to meet citizens. #Congress_આવે_છે pic.twitter.com/caz9TedZrg

— Congress (@INCIndia) November 25, 2017

9.45 am: In the last few months, Gandhi has conducted multiple roadshows across the state hitting out at BJP over a range of issues including demonetisation, unemployment and GST. Gujarat goes to vote in two phases – on December 9 and December 14 — for 182 seats in the House. The counting will be done on December 18.