The chief minister said constitutional authorities are being used to harass him and defame the state.
Chief minister Narendra Modi used the finale of the year-long Swarnim Gujarat celebrations to launch a scathing attack on the Congress-led UPA. Without naming the Congress, he tore into the party during his 15-minute speech at Sardar Patel Stadium in Navrangpura on Sunday evening.
The setting was perfect. Thousands were in attendance to witness the cultural programme organised to mark the end of Swarnim celebrations. The programme started only at 7:00 pm, an hour behind schedule, but Modi’s speech drew loud applause from the people. Without naming the Congress, he accused the party of misusing constitutional authorities to harass him and the state government. He said that certain elements had developed the habit to attack and defame Gujarat.
“These are people with anti-Gujarat mentality - they pounce on any opportunity to attack and defame Gujarat and the state government. They are going to all extent to harass me — even misusing different constitutional authorities,” Modi said. Modi, however, quickly added that he would not succumb to such tactics, and sought people’s blessings to fight it out. He also urged the citizens not to forgive those opposed to the progress of Gujarat. He said that no other government had a vilification campaign of the scale and nature that the current Gujarat government was facing.
While the gathering lauded Modi's every word, the CM wouldn't be happy about the large number of vacant seats in the stadium, 25% according to estimates. Unlike last May 1, when Sardar Patel Stadium was virtually mobbed by citizens, leading to chaos and pandemonium, the event was much more organized this time. Roads outside the stadium, which were jammed with vehicles and people last year, wore a deserted look on Sunday as police banned entry of vehicles in areas surround the stadium. The CM said that he had not responded to the attacks against Swarnim Gujarat so far, but he was finally speaking out. Irked by the Congress' decision to boycott the Swarnim Gujarat celebrations, Modi reminded them that it was the state's Golden Jubilee year- not that of himself or the BJP government.
"There is a limit to opposition, but these people have exceeded all limits," he said. Later, around 4,800 artistes, majority of them children from poor families, performed at the venue. They mesmerised the audience by showcasing their skills with a series of performances, to bring down the curtains on the grand Swarnim celebrations.
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