Gujarat elections: As poll campaign heats up, Congress, BJP target each other to claim throne

As Gujarat approaches the first phase of polling, political parties have raised the intensity in their respective campaigns Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed rallies in Morbi, Prachi, Palitana and Navsari (Express Photo by Javed Raja)

“In good and bad times, the Jan Sangh and the BJP have stood with the people of Morbi. One cannot say the same about the Congress and their leaders,” said PM Modi. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)

Unlike on Monday, a huge crowd gathered at PM Modi's rally in Morbi. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)

“Congress dislikes Gujarat as they will be defeated here. Victory and defeat are a part of life. There was a time when our party would distribute sweets when we saved our deposits. These things happen in a democracy, Congress should not be consumed by such hatred,” the PM said. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)

In Palitana, PM highlighted the development works done by his government and spoke about the Alang shipyard, which is the world’s biggest ship breaking yard (Express Photo by Preeti Das)

Former CM Anandi Ben addressed the crowd before PM Modi arrived in Palitana. She said, "Rahul went to Somanth temple today. Ask him or people from his party about how the conditions of the temple were when Congress was in power. Thanks to Modi ji, Rahul has visited 21 temples in Gujarat." (Express Photo by Preeti Das)

Patidar leader Hardik Patel also addressed several gatherings in Morbi district discussing quota stir, farmer crisis, and other issues surrounding the people. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)

Patidar leader Hardik Patel, taking a dig at the PM, said, "Today, saheb is doing a meeting in Morbi. They are busy arranging mazdoors (labourers) and not manso (people) for that meeting." (Express Photo by Javed Raja)

“BJP doesn’t care for us as they believe we won’t go anywhere. Congress is not coming forth as it lacks confidence after failing in 2002 and 2012 despite Keshubapa standing up. There are no cowards like Amit Shah and Narendra Modi. They draw their power only from police. So don’t be afraid of them, fight them," said Hardik Patel. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)

Returning to the campaign trail in poll-bound Gujarat, Rahul Gandhi began with visiting the Somnath Temple and continued his camapign at Visavadar, Savar Kundla and Amreli districts. (Source: AICC)

Taking a jibe against PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi on Twitter asked him about his promises to Gujarat. Referring to his promise of 50 lakh new houses in 2012, Gandhi asked if he would take 45 more years to keep his word. (Source: AICC)

Rahul Gandhi expressed hope that this time results will be different and Congress will win. Rahul targetted the PM over MNREGA, saying he criticised it but never shut it down (Source: AICC)

Rahul Gandhi asked the audience about how they see the speeches by PM Modi, to which the crowd responded "fenku… fenku… fenku." The leader then added, "There is tension in his speeches now. Ghabrahat hai." (Source: AICC)