Gujarat election Highlights: For Congress vikas is only where they can make money, says PM Modi in Ahmedabad

Earlier, in the day, the Ahmedabad Police denied permission to Modi, Gandhi and Hardik Patel to hold roadshows in the city. “We have denied permission to all roadshows citing Election Commission’s guidelines, These shows might create law and order situations. The organised public meetings have been allowed to be held. We are ready to take legal recourse if roadshow would take place,” said Ahmedabad police commissioner AK Singh.

However, Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader, Hardik Patel, is holding a rally in Ahmedabad district.

Here are the Highlights:

10:20 pm: Thanks for joining us at the Indian Express Live Blog. For more, visit indianexpress.com.

10:04 pm: A heartfelt thank you to everyone for the tremendous support and good wishes you have showered on me. It is an honour for me to work for the ideals of the Congress party and through it for our great country: Rahul Gandhi, Congress President.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone for the tremendous support and good wishes you have showered on me. It is an honour for me to work for the ideals of the Congress party and through it for our great country.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 11, 2017

9:37 pm: Talking about developing waterways, PM Modi says, “Tomorrow, on this Sabarmati river at 9:30 AM a plane will land. I will be on that sea plane and will go to Dharoi dam and them offer prayers at Ambaji.”

9:34 pm: Who is impacted most by unclean surroundings? Not the rich families but the poor. When we work on Swachh Bharat Mission it helps the poor: PM Modi in Ahmedabad.

9:28 pm: We started a Pragati Initiative. Through technology, officers from all over India join and we discuss key policy issues. This has helped accelerate the pace of development: PM Modi in Ahmedabad.

9:26 pm: Do you see this Sabarmati River. There were circuses held earlier, now see the riverfront. This is development. But for the Congress, Vikas is only where they can make money: PM Modi in Ahmedabad.

9:25 pm: Responding to allegations from Congress that Narmada waters have not reached all, Modi said, “We have taken the waters of the Narmada to every part of Gujarat.”

9:24 pm: Gujarat has two development engines – one here in Gandhinagar and the other in Delhi: PM Modi in Gandhinagar.

India is making remarkable strides and the world is realising it. If India is making a mark on the world stage it is due to the 125 crore people of India: PM Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad #GujaratElection2017 pic.twitter.com/DzUnSUGwa8

— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2017

9:23 pm: UPA did everything possible to derail Gujarat’s development journey. To put gas pipelines in Gujarat’s villages (when I had the required budget also), the UPA got worried and did everything to stop that. I had to go to the Supreme Court: PM Modi in Ahmedabad.

9:22 PM: PM Modi says India is making strides in the world and it is due to the 125 crore people of the country.

9:19 pm: PM Modi addresses a rally in Ahmedabad, congratulates the city on becoming a heritage city adding that its a matter of pride for India.

8:01 pm: Congress must come out with detailed facts what transpired in that meeting and what was the necessity of having it in present circumstances. Yesterday, they were in denial about it and today instead of accepting it as a misadventure, they try to blame those raising the issue: Arun Jaitley.

8:00 pm:  I am glad that the Chief Minister relented because Yogeshji fought alone, otherwise the poor would not have had their homes, says Maenka Gandhi in Vadodara.

Maneka Gandhi praises Manjalpur BJP candidate Yogesh Patel for fighting against the system for the rights of poor land owners. "I am glad that the Chief Minister relented because Yogeshji fought alone, otherwise the poor would not have had their homes" @IndianExpress

— Aditi Raja (@aditijf) December 11, 2017

7:59 pm: Maneka Gandhi says a Congress candidate in Vadodara told her that he did not want to even contest the polls. “He told me he was forced to contest and since the party has sent funds, he will keep some of it for himself and contest the polls. You all know the truth.”

7:58 pm: While Narendra Modi is in Ahmedabad, Union Minister for Women & Child Development Maneka Gandhi addressed a public meeting campaigning for BJP MLA Yogesh Patel of Manjalpur Assembly Constituency in Vadodara. Gandhi said, “I share a bond with Yogesh Patel. There is no reason for this bond.”

7:55 pm: As personal attacks and verbal exchanges are being made in Gujarat between BJP and Congress leaders, both parties are justifying their stands in New Delhi. Earlier, the Congress demanded an apology from PM Modi over his suggestion, that Pakistan was influencing the Gujarat election and that Mani Shankar Aiyar hosted Pakistani officials at his residence. Now Finance Minister, coming to the aid of PM Modi said, “It is surprising that Congress party expect the Prime Minister of India to apologise for it.”

Former PM Manmohan Singh has issued a statement asking PM Modi to apologise for what he said in an election rally with regard to a meeting involving Pakistani delegations. It is surprising that Congress party expect the Prime Minister of India to apologise for it: FM Arun Jaitley pic.twitter.com/kA8VtLAMNK

— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2017

7:50 pm: Both PM Modi and BJP President Amit Shah have been camping in their home state ahead of the second phase of election in another three days.

Pictures of public meeting in Anklav assembly constituency, district Anand (Gujarat). pic.twitter.com/017p6Iq7HL

— Amit Shah (Modi Ka Parivar) (@AmitShah) December 11, 2017

7:48 pm: Congress is going to win in Gujarat. No one can stop that from happening. People of Gujarat have made up their mind: Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Gandhinagar.

7:39 pm: As Rahul Gandhi takes on the BJP in Gandhinagar, PM Modi will address a rally at the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad shortly from now.

Shehnaz Shaikh from Behrampura area of Ahmedabad showing Lotus mehendi in support of Narendra Modi at a public meeting to be addressed by the latter at Sabarmati Riverfront of the city shortly. @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/H6TD4mXZxu

— parimal dabhi (@parimaldabhi) December 11, 2017

7:37 pm: Rahul Gandhi reiterates GST as ‘Gabbar Singh Tax,’ says no one was spared under demonetisation while rich people turned their black money into white.

7:33 pm: They say Congress has disappeared from Gujarat but why do 50 per cent of PM Modi’s speeches is on Congress? The rest is on himself? says Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Gandhinagar.

7:27 pm: BJP workers are demoralised and have nothing new to speak as the truth of Gujarat model and its development has come out, says Rahul Gandhi in Gandhinagar.

7:26 pm: Talk about the future of the youth of Gujarat: Rahul Gandhi in Gandhinagar.

7:24 pm: Congress President Rahul Gandhi is addressing a rally in Gandhinagar, and urges PM Modi to fight the election on agenda of development.

7:20 pm: Pm Modi has been campaigning in his home state of Gujarat for a BJP victory and is likely to be credited with the victory of the party comes to power on December 18. Meanwhile, Congress campaign is being actively led by Rahul Gandhi.

Glimpses from today's rally in Nadiad. @BJP4Gujarat pic.twitter.com/pmzimVDcA8

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 11, 2017

7:06 pm: As PM Modi goes on to address a rally in Ahmedabad, he earlier addressed rallies in Patan and Nadiad.

This is how Patan welcomed me! Thank you to those who joined the rally. pic.twitter.com/tQ3mtE0yf0

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 11, 2017

6.53 pm: In a bid to attract youth and first-time voters, Congress has announced free laptops for students, lowering the fees of college, financial assistance to students from poor sections, and increase the strength of teachers in schools.

6:43 pm: PM Modi congratulates Rahul Gandhi on his election to the Post of Congress President.

I congratulate Rahul Ji on his election as Congress President. My best wishes for a fruitful tenure. @OfficeOfRG

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 11, 2017

6.25 pm: PM Modi will shortly address a rally in Ahmedabad.

Female BJP workers flaunting their mehendi with BJP symbol, Lotus, at a public meeting in Ahmedabad to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi shortly. @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/p4tuqwwsqn

— parimal dabhi (@parimaldabhi) December 11, 2017

5.58 pm: When we brought the Jyotigram Yojana we were mocked by Congress. That party never believes that this can be the scale of development: PM Modi in Nadiad.

5.40 pm: The ongoing campaign in Gujarat, has seen senior politicians exchanging harsh personal remarks against each other. Congress President, Rahul Gandhi, has now asked PM Modi to tallk about development of Gujarat rather than Pakistan.

5.20 pm: As Rahul Gandhi addresses meetings and interacts with people on the campaign trail in Gujarat, celebrations are on in Congress offices across the nation following his appointment to the top post in the party.

Havan being performed outside Congress Headquarter in #Delhi pic.twitter.com/wOjQuCljzA

— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2017

5:12 pm: While, the Ahmedabad police, denied permission for any gathering or campaigning in the city. Patidar leader Hardik Patel defied orders and held a massive roadshow.

See Photos | Patidar leader Hardik Patel defies police, organises massive roadshow in Ahmedabad

5.00 pm: Rahul Gandhi reached Savli and interacted with people after being elected the President of Congress.

Newly appointed Congress President-Elect Rahul Gandhi shares this historic moment with people of Savli, Vadodara, as he addresses a public meeting. #Congress_સાથે_ગુજરાત #CongressPresidentRahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/i8jcWUHSh7

— Congress (@INCIndia) December 11, 2017

4.39 pm: As PM Modi attacked Congress with his rhetoric of Pakistan, former PM Manmohan Singh came out and expressed his anguish at the “falsehood” and “canards” being spread by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “score political points”.

Also Read | Pained at PM Modi’s spreading of falsehood to score political points: Manmohan Singh

4.18 pm: Newly elected Congress President, Rahul Gandhi, who addressed a public meeting in Viragam is now headed to Savli on course to Gandhinagar from Banaskantha.

4.10 pm: When we went to the farmers, did Krishi Mahotsav, we did not go out helping the rich. We went among the poor. Sadly, Congress leaders born with golden spoons will never understand what poverty is: PM Modi in Patan.

4.08 pm: During peak summer, I would go to the villages of Gujarat and ask parents to educate their children. Whose children were they? Were they Ambani’s children? No. They were children of the poor. We are working for poor: PM Modi in Patan.

3.57 pm: Taking a jibe at Rahul Gandhi, PM Modi said, “Our farmers work hard and grow potato. If at all the Congress comes to power, there will be no need to do that because their leader says we will produce potatoes in factories! Congress’ basic knowledge about agriculture is so poor.”

3.53 pm: Senior Congress leader hailing the election of Rahul Gandhi said that Entire country has lots of expectations from Rahul Gandhi, much before he was elected he has shown his mettle and knows his responsibility.

3.49 pm: Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi will take the reins of the Congress party from his mother, Sonia Gandhi, who was elected to the post in 1998.

Celebration outside Congress office in #Delhi after official announcement of Rahul Gandhi as the Party President. pic.twitter.com/xRsfHp25xH

— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2017

3.46 pm: PM Modi slamming the Congress for shifting its MLAs to a resort in Bengaluru during Rajya Sabha elections earlier this year said, “When this area was flooded the Chief Minister, former Chief Minister, Ministers came and stood with people here. The Prime Minister reviewed the situation. All this while, Congress MLAs were enjoying in resorts.”

3:44 pm: Hardik Patel who has been gathering a massive crowd in his rallies address public meetings and did roadshows in Naryanpura and Ghatlodiya of Gujarat on Monday.

Crowd during a Hardik Patel rally in Ahmedabad. (Source: Twitter/ Hardik Patel)

3.42 pm: Congress has lost in the first round and are not even thinking about the second round as they know people here will support BJP. They have now taken to excuses. Their leaders and cheerleaders are blaming EVMs, including saying they are hacked using Bluetooth: PM Modi in

3.41 pm: Rahul Gandhi will be handed the certificate of his election on December 16.

https://twitter.com/INCIndia/status/940162151473278978

3.35 pm: Amid campaigning in Gujarat on Monday, Rahu Gandhi has been unopposed elected the new President of Congress Party. Mullappally Ramachandran, Returning Officer for Congress President election announced that 89 nomination proposals were received and all were valid. There was no other candidate opposing the current Congress VP for the topmost post in the party.

89 nomination proposals were received,all were valid.Since there was only one candidate.I hereby declare Rahul Gandhi elected as the president of Indian National Congress: Mullappally Ramachandran,Congress pic.twitter.com/JqKYXlsGOb

— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2017

3.27 pm: Rahul Gandhi addressed the people of Viramgam, Ahmedabad on the campaign trail and attacked the ruling BJP government in Gujarat.

People of Viramgam, Ahmedabad shared their grievances with Congress VP Rahul Gandhi. #Congress_સાથે_ગુજરાત pic.twitter.com/o5wtFKkq3g

— Congress (@INCIndia) December 11, 2017

2.51 pm: Rahul Gandhi addressing a rally said that he has nothing while PM Modi has the government we have the truth.

Mere pass zada kuch nahi hai, Modi ji ke pass sarkar hai, magar humaare pass sachchai hai, Hindustan sachchai ka desh hai: Rahul Gandhi #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/Ilq9hNjjR2

— ANI (@ANI) December 11, 2017

2.45 pm: Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram expressed his disappointment over the current allegations being levelled by PM Modi and BJP on former PM Manmohan Singh. Chidambaram said, “The BJP’s campaign in Gujarat in the last few days, especially yesterday, has gone beyond bizarre. Should a political party go to any length to win an election?”

Is winning an election so important that such allegations can be made against a former Prime Minister and a former Vice President?

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) December 11, 2017

02.10 pm: 

अहमदाबाद शहर में शरु हुवी क्रांति रेली
दोपहर के बाद एक लाख से ज़्यादा लोग जुड़ेंगे और क्रांति जनसभा में अहमदाबाद दिखाएगा दम pic.twitter.com/sltYznuegv

— Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) December 11, 2017

02.00 pm: “Many years ago Indira Gandhi came here, my father came, my family and this place go back a long way,” says Rahul Gandhi in Tharad

01.50 pm: Hardik Patel’s massive show of strength passed through BJP stronghold Ghatlodia constituency in Ahmedabad

01.45 pm: Meanwhile, Supreme Court issues notice to the Election Commission of India and the Centre over plea seeking cancellation of candidates contesting election in two constituencies simultaneously.

01.25 pm: Dalit lawyer-activist Jignesh Mevani, who is standing for election as an independent candidate appears to be in a tight spot. According to a Congress supporter, the prospect Mevani appear a little bleak. Three factors have been working against him. Mevani is being seen as an outsider, since he is from Mehsana and his movement was largely based out of Saurashtra. A rebel Congress candidate is also in the fray. And there is a possible consolidation of Hindu votes cutting across castes. Mevani is contesting from the Vadgam constituency of north Gujarat’s Banaskantha district

1.10 pm: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi addresses a public rally in Banaskantha district in Gujarat. He says BJP’s ‘vikas yatra’ is a flop, compares it to a flop movie. “The Gujarat elections are going on and PM Modi speaks sometimes on Japan, Pakistan and Afghanistan. It’s the Gujarat elections, speak on Gujarat. (Jaise picture flop hoti hai, waise hi BJP ki vikas yatra flop ho gayi. Gujarat ka chunav ho raha hai aur Modi ji kabhi Japan, Pakistan, Afghanistan ki baat karte hain. Modi ji, Gujarat ka chunaav hai, thodi Gujarat ki baat karlo)”

12.50 pm: The Congress called PM Modi’s claims “outrageous” and “reprehensible.” Party leader Anand Sharma said, “PM has said Congress is conspiring with Pakistan for Gujarat elections. It’s outrageous. This is just an attempt to polarise ahead of second phase of voting. This also shows his desperation and that BJP’s loss is now guaranteed,” reported ANI.

12.45 pm: Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad condemned Pakistan’s statement Monday, saying the country must “stop giving us lessons”. He said, “Completely abhor outside interference in India’s internal affairs. Pakistan’s promotion of terrorism in India is well known but Pakistan must stop giving us lessons. We are proud of our democracy. Condemn this unwarranted statement,” reported news agency ANI.

12.30 pm: Pakistan Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said India should stop dragging the country into its electoral debate and “win victories on its own strength.” “India should stop dragging Pakistan into its electoral debate and win victories on own strength rather than fabricated conspiracies, which are utterly baseless and irresponsible,” Faisal tweeted.

12.15 pm: Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale said the BJP would retain power in Gujarat despite the aggressive campaign of the opposition Congress. Athawale said that the percentage of votes for the Congress will defintely go up thanks to its campaign as well as the backing of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS). Athawale said PM Modi was a great strategist ably supported by BJP party president Amit Shah and both being sons-of-the-soil of Gujarat were aware of the ground situation in the state. He questioned the decision of PAAS leader Hardik Patel to align with the Congress.

12.00 pm: I am getting very good response from the people and I am very confident, says Hardik Patel in Ahmedabad motorcycle rally

11.40 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address rallies in Patan, Nadiad and Ahmedabad today

11.30 am: 

Mobbed by PAAS members a marriage procession passes through Bopal, Ahmedabad @IndianExpress @lynnmis pic.twitter.com/4FpaBJrlMW

— satish jha. (@satishjha) December 11, 2017

11.15 am: Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) members gathered in Bopal, Ahmedabad to take out a roadshow led by Hardik Patel despite not having police permission

11.00 am: “We have denied permission to all roadshows citing Election Commission’s guidelines, These shows might create law and order situations. The organised public meetings have been allowed to be held. We are ready to take legal recourse if roadshow would take place,” said Ahmedabad police commissioner AK Singh.

10.30 am: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to hold a public meeting at 12 pm at Shivnagar Ground in Banaskantha district. He is also scheduled to hold several other public meetings at Popat Chokdi, Viramgam in Ahmedabad district at 01.45 pm; at Muval Ground, Savli in Vadodara district at 3.45 pm and at Ramkatha Maidan, Gandhinagar in Gandhinagar district at 5:15 pm.