Gujarat Assembly elections 2017: Rahul Gandhi terms PM Narendra Modi's sea-plane ride a 'distraction'

Counting of votes for Gujarat polls will take place on December 18.

File photo

AHMEDABAD: Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his sea-plane ride from the Sabarmati River to Dharoi Dam in Mehsana district, the Congress president-elect Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday called the usage of seaplane for campaigning a 'distraction' from the main issues of Gujarat.

While addressing a press meet in Ahmedabad, Rahul continued to slam PM Modi over not mentioning issues like corruption and farmers in his rallies in poll-bound Gujarat.

PM Modi flew on Tuesday morning in a sea-plane from the Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad to Dharoi Dam in Mehsana district on the last day of campaigning for the Gujarat Assembly polls.

PM Modi boarded the single-engine plane from near the Sardar Bridge connecting the old city with Ahmedabad West, the first-ever flight by such a craft in the country.

The plane landed at Dharoi Dam reservoir in Mehsana.

From Dharoi, the PM proceeded to Ambaji Temple in Banaskantha district via road. 

Taking a jibe at PM Modi, Gandhi added that the Prime Minister had remained silent on allegations against BJP president Amit Shah's son Jay Shah and the alleged irregularities in the Rafale fighter jet deal.

"PM Modi ji has not spoken a word about corruption. He is silent on Jay Shah and Rafale deal," he said.

The Congress leader also took on those who raised eyebrows over his visits to temples in Gujarat, wondering if it was wrong to pray for the well-being of people of the state.

Rahul defended himself saying, "Whenever I went to a temple I just prayed for a 'sunehra bhavishya' for the people of Gujarat, a better development here. Is it wrong to go to a temple?"

The Congress leader also said he was confident that his party would win the elections in the state. "We are confident that Congress will win in Gujarat," Gandhi said.

Remaining parts of Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, are slated to go for polls on December 14.The first phase of polling took place on December 9 and recorded a voter turnout of 68 percent.

Counting of votes will take place on December 18.

The Congress is eyeing to dethrone the BJP government in the state.The last Congress government in Gujarat was led by Chhabildas Mehta from February 17, 1994, to March 13, 1995.

(With PTI inputs)