In Surat, PM Skips Talk on Patidars and GST, Mentions Gujarat's Donkeys Instead

Surat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded the first leg of his mega campaign spree in Gujarat with a grand rally in Surat, by surprisingly skipping talk on GST and patidars. He chose to remember 'Gujarat ke Gadhe (donkeys)' jibe instead.

Taking a swipe at Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav during a rally in Surat, he said: "Those who said Gujarat ke gadhe are now having to bow to that Gadha's feet."

Earlier this year, in the run up to UP elections, Akhilesh Yadav had quipped about a Gujarat tourism ad showing donkeys in Gujarat. This had become an issue of debate back then.

Modi reached Surat as part of his mega rally spree on Monday for the Gujarat elections.

He also expressed confidence that the BJP will easily cross 150 plus in the 182-member vidhan sabha.

"I have full confidence we will cross 150 plus in Gujarat," Modi said.

Modi chose to speak on the outskirts of Surat city and not in the city as planned earlier.

Surat has been the epicentre of the Patidar movement and the anti-GST protests, and the IB is believed to have suggested that the PM's rally be taken out of city limits fearing protests from Patidars.

Amid loud uproar, Modi also took potshots at Rahul Gandhi for temple hopping.

"People ask me what we have done in 22 years in Gujarat. I tell them - I was able to get people to go to temples to seek divine intervention," said Modi.

He also urged people to punish 'paapi' Congress with 'kadak sazaa (Stiff punishment)'.

Modi's Surat speech had a strong message for the business and trader community as well. He briefly touched upon demonetisation, ease of doing business for small traders. Surprisingly, there was no mention of GST.

"Demonetisation has hit shell companies. In fact, I feel politicians went to sleep in a state of shock after the 8th of November."

"There was a time when big people were benefitting in business. Big malls came up, just like in Surat, they ran till late in the night. But small hawkers used to be told to shut down. I went to Delhi and made a rule that everyone can run shop as long as they want. why only big malls should benefit," said Modi.