Vadodara:
While Narendra Modi is busy seeking a third consecutive mandate from the people of Gujarat, his governance received praise today from the unlikeliest of quarters.
Without naming Mr Modi, actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan today said, "I salute the success story of Gujarat." The 39-year-old actor, who was speaking at a promotional event in Vadodara, said, "I am familiar with the success story of Gujarat...I feel at home in the state. Gujarat has been going from strength to strength."
Her comments come in the midst of hectic political activity and campaigning for the assembly elections in the state. The first phase of elections will be held in Gujarat on December 13 followed by the second phase on December 17. The results are scheduled to be declared on December 20.
Incidentally, Aishwarya's father-in-law and megastar Amitabh Bachchan is the brand ambassador of Gujarat. The actor's decision to lend his endorsement to the state in 2010 had generated a lot of controversy.
The Modi government has claimed that Gujarat has witnessed an increase in tourist inflow over the past few years, especially since the state roped in Mr Bachchan as its brand ambassador.